£1 million plans for Shropshire equestrian centre

The plans for the five-acre site adjacent to Bradley Farm, in Farley, near Much Wenlock, would include a reception, offices, changing rooms, therapy room, stables, an indoor arena and an outdoor manege.

But if the scheme does not go ahead those behind it fear they may have to fold.

The Perry Riding for the Disabled Group, which works with people with a wide range of disabilities, says the new Cavalier Centre will provide an all weather facility offering where users can learn new skills, team working, training, volunteering opportunities and even undergo hippotherapy - physiotherapy on horseback.

The group has operated from the home of David and Jane Barker, in Perry Cottage, Yeaton for the last 19 years but in bad weather sessions have to be cancelled. A notice has also been served on the group to vacate the Yeaton site by the end of 2015.

The group believes a permanent site will, when it opens in 2015, attract more volunteers and up to 10 paid members of staff to enable it to double the number of participants, with a further 50 per cent increase over the following two years.

But the plans have received opposition from the the civic society, residents and the local flood group.

Other sites were looked into but the group said Bradley Farm was the most viable option.

Project manager Steve Smith said if the Farley site had not been offered by The Willey Estates at a very favourable rent, the charity would have to fold.

He said: "The Perry Group was given notice to leave its current site with more than enough time to find and develop a new site.

"For a variety of reasons development at other sites was not possible, although in some case plans were drawn up and council officials were consulted, but we could not make them work.

"If this planning application fails then the group will fold. It couldn't be any more definite than that really.

"We are all aware some people have objections but we believe we will resolve any problems in our application.

"The project could cost about £1 million, which could eventually rise to £1.3 million.

"We have been fundraising for the last 10 years and we'll also be contacting grant funding bodies to acquire the money."

Much Wenlock Civic Society has called for a detailed environmental impact evaluation to be carried out before a decision is made, due to the scale of the development.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England said it supported the aims of the RDA but objected to the plans over access, drainage, landscaping, heritage and noise issues.

The Much Wenlock Community Flood Action Group said it welcomed the overall development but objected to application due to a number of concerns about associated flood risks.

Shropshire Council's conservation department said the benefits of development would outweigh any harm to the heritage assets.

The plans are expected to go before Shropshire Council's south planning committee on September 16.