17-05-2025
Government overrules Westmorland & Furness council on Ulverston planning appeal
A council's refusal to allow stables to be built near Ulverston has been overturned on appeal.
Westmorland & Furness Council initially refused plans for a stable block near Ulverston, but that decision has now been overruled by the government's Planning Inspectorate.
The application was for a site on land off Pennington Lane and the block would contain three stables on an existing hard standing.
According to the appeal decision report the development should begin not later than three years from the decision date.
It states that the main issue was the effect of the proposed development upon road safety and it adds: 'The appeal site forms part of a larger field, separated by post and wire fencing, used for equestrian purposes.
'At the time of my visit, the appeal site contained some baled hay, along with a tractor, van, horse box, trailers and some plastic piping. The site lies in the countryside, albeit with residential areas nearby.
'The appeal site has an established access to the south, off Pennington Lane. This existing access also serves agricultural land to the south-west.'
According to the report the nearby road is a narrow country lane and the existing access lies on the outside of a sharp bend. It adds: 'Consequently, for vehicles exiting the appeal site it is possible to see vehicles approaching from either direction.
'For vehicles entering the appeal site, the access itself is visible from both directions, however, forward visibility of approaching vehicles to the opposite side of the carriageway, is restricted by the bend in the road.
'As the site is used for equestrian purposes, the existing access and turning area can presently be utilised by those on horseback, or by vehicles towing horseboxes, and the site could be accessed in this way going forward.
'As it also serves agricultural land, the access could also be utilised by farm related vehicles now and in the future. At present, there is a gravel area between the gated access and the carriageway. It is not clear whether this is of a sufficient size to allow larger or longer vehicles to pull clear of the road while opening or closing this gate.'
The report states that there was no substantive evidence demonstrating that the introduction of a small stable block would significantly increase the use of the existing access and turning area, over and above the present use of the land for equestrian purposes.
It adds: 'As such, I am unable to conclude that this development would result in an increased use of the existing access, or that this would lead to or exacerbate any highway safety issues.'
The inspector imposed conditions specifying the time limit for commencement and the approved plans as this provides certainty.
They concluded: 'For the reasons set out above, having had regard to the development plan as a whole and all other material considerations, I conclude that the appeal should be allowed.'
