An application to build houses on Patchetts Equestrian Centre has been withdrawn.
Patchetts closed in August and plans to replace it with a 46-house development were submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council that month.
A statement on the equestrian centre’s website said that the sad decision to shut had been made as the business had not been economically viable for some time.
It added that the centre had been supported independently by the McTaggart family for several years, but the continued personal support in the current economic situation could no longer be sustained.
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The application to build on the site in Aldenham, Hertfordshire, was set to be discussed by the council’s planning committee at a meeting this evening (Thursday 10 December).
But the plans, which had been recommended for refusal by planning officers, has now been removed from the agenda at the request of the applicant.
The application had received 73 objections from members of the public and the case officer’s report gave five reasons for refusal.
The first reason was that the proposed development would have a greater impact on the openness of the greenbelt than the current buildings, which would be “inappropriate”.
The second reason given was that the number of houses and the subsequent population increase would be out of scale with the existing village.
Further reasons were also given regarding the listed buildings, that the development would not “preserve or enhance” the character of the conservation area or the settings of the listed buildings and insufficient information regarding the impact on bat roosts.
“The council has not acted pro-actively through positive engagement with the applicant as in the council’s view the proposal is unacceptable in principle and the fundamental objections cannot be overcome through dialogue,” the report concludes.
The applicant, Heronslea, declined to comment.
