If yard has strict planning restrictions and they are ignored...

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zoeshiloh

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www.stowmarketanddistrictridingclub.com
There is a local yard that has strict regulations on the use of the yard - there can be no more than 6 horses (including foals/youngsters) at the yard at any one time, and the yard MUST NOT be used for any form of business, ie livery, riding school, breeding for profit etc. Well, it seems ALL of these restrictions are being ignored. What can be done about this? Is it a matter for the council to take up, and would they actually do anything about it?
 
Contact planning at your local council and they should know what to do, although it usually involves a planning officer 'catching' them in the act which can be difficult.
 
Although it's not 'right' tbh I'd stay well out of it unless they are causing real nuisance/harm. All you will do is irritate them and you never know when you might need some neighbourly help in the future.
 
[ QUOTE ]
is it your yard?

if not, i wouldn't get involved tbh if they aren't causing any harm

[/ QUOTE ]

No it is not my yard.

Yes, they are causing harm - the people running the yard are inexperienced, but promoting themselves as experienced horse trainers/dealers. They have already had two liveries turn from quiet rides into nervous wrecks. They are going to cause an accident soon.

The restrictions are on the use of the land, set out in planning permission for the yard granted by the council - it stated the yard was to be used for Private use only, not to have more than 6 horses (including foals/youngstock) and that no business could operate from the premesis, then listed livery yard, riding school etc as examples.
 
Agree with Milltiger and Ben_and_Jerrys, people too easily interfere with others lives without full understanding of the situation, we are experiencing this first hand at present and it is really unfair, not accusing you of course.
Its not wise in my opinion to piss of people unnecciserily.
Unless this effects you directly or is a welfare issue id stay out of it.
 
Trust me, the people involved are bad news. The horses are not being looked after correctly, and in some cases abused (hit). I think people are just exploring their options as to how to get the pair shut down. I will be printing off this thread and handing it over to the people that want to take it further so that they can decide which route to take.
 
Two things te bear in mind, the council dont have to take any action if they dont consider it is in their interest(Planning regs) and also if a complaint is made they dont have to withold the name of the person complaining.If horses are being abused that is an animal welfare matter, not a planning matter.This sounds to me like meddling in things that are not your concern.
 
Mike I have been victim to these people they took my mare on loan and the police were involved to get her back. The OP has also had problems with them involing police but I should not go into details unless they do thesemlves. It will be me that OP passes print out to no need to bother as I can read it here and take it further. They are nasty and devious and need to be stopped and the police only seem to help retrieving horses but not shutting down the operation so if reporting misues of yard is what it takes to stop them then we will do what we can. If that means I am meddling then yes I am but it means that no mor epeople will suffer at these peoples hands.
 
You have a number of options in addition to planning.

You could phone the Inland Revenue anonymous hotline and report them for running a business without paying proper taxes (they may be, but it sounds VERY unlikely.) Your name will never be known and the tax inspectors make life hell for people while they are investigating their accounts.

You could report them to the Council for running a business and not paying business rates. When they find out how much the business rates are, they may decide the business is not worth running. Also the ratings officers may be much more keen to investigate than the planners. There is only hassle for a planner, but revenue for a ratings officer.

I know how it feels to have a horse abused. I had one starved by a woman in Cambridge and had to stage a rescue operation to get him back. She was known for buying "light work only" or retired horses and then selling them on. Of course I didn't find that out until after she turned mine from a bonny boy into a hatrack. Good luck with sorting your problem with these people.
 
Oh, I had a yard next to me with exactly the same planning conditions!
I complained to the council about the number of horses on the land and was told they could only see 5!! Sent them photos but nothing was done!
I complained abut the livery business but was told that DIY is not livery!!
Considered Inland Revenue but couldn't be asked tbh.
The people who owned the place eventually sold - to gypsies!!
Believe me, things can get worse!!
 
Yes the council can do something, but they wont if nobody tells them, also get in touch with inland revenue as they are running a business so should be rated. One thing take photo's before you do this as once the council has got in touch the horses seem to disappear only to reappear when they've gone.
 
Good luck to you! We have a pair like that near us and plenty of people would love to see them shut down, unfortunately, abusing horses isn't a good enough reason, nor is unsanitory conditions on the yard or numerous complaints from people they have ripped off when they have sold horses on. If they could be shut down over planning regulations, trust me, there would be a long line forming outside the council's offices.
 
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