AN international event rider who represents Great Britain is to breed and train horses for competition at the Hendre.

Professional rider Charlotte Agnew is relocating her business from Gloucestershire to Llan Farm, around five miles from Monmouth.

She has been given planning permission for equestrian use of the land and to relocate and convert an existing agricultural barn to a giant ‘American barn’ with 16 stables.

The 49m×24m building, with underfloor heating, will be used to house “expensive, in training and experienced competition horses, as well as breeding mares, foals and young horses”.

Ms Agnew moved from Scotland to Cirencester in Gloucestershire in 2010, where she rented 10 stables and a track, before moving, in 2015, to larger premises at Norton Grounds Farm in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.

The move to Monmouthshire has been prompted by practical difficulties with using shared rented facilities.

The application states: “Llan Farm has adequate land to achieve a quality private equestrian facility for foals to be produced, young horses to be trained, competition horses to reach their full potential and for Charlotte to develop her sporting potential even further.”

The business employs four members of staff, and all are expected to relocate to Llan Farm, while it is also anticipated additional local jobs will be created once the business is established.

The permission also covers the erection of an indoor riding arena which will be 49x31m so that it is big enough to allow the applicant to practice for her own competitions and prepare other horses to compete.

Information provided to Monmouthshire Council’s planning department says dressage movements and jumps training cannot be risked on hard, uneven or slippery surfaces outdoors.

The indoor arena will be the minimum size required for preparing horses for top level competition, usually held in 100mx80m arenas, in line with sport’s governing body.