PLANS for an outdoor riding area on prime quality farmland have been given the green light by planners.

The private arena will be in a field next to a grade II-listed Gaerllwyd Baptist Church and a red telephone box, next to the chapel wall, which also forms part of the listing in the open countryside at Earlswood.

The 45 metres long, and 25m wide, arena will have a sand and fibre surface and will be surrounded with a 1.35m high timber post and rail fence while part of the land will have to be cut and filled to provide a level surface. A 3.6m wide stone track, to provide access from existing stables to the south, will also be created.

Applicant Rachel Riley required planning permission for the development and the change of use of the two hectares of land, which is a mixture of different grades classed as best and most versatile agricultural land, to equestrian.

Planning officer Ryan Bentley said in a report, which approved the application, a horse riding arena and equestrian use could be considered acceptable within the open countryside, where development is highly restricted, and a condition will ensure it is only for personal only with no commercial use or livery operated from the site.

Though the application is just 60m away from the listed church and phone box Mr Bentley said it was considered there would be “minimal visual impact” with the the most prominent feature being the post and rail fence.

Mr Bentley also addressed the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land, which should be protected, and stated: “The majority of the field will have no structures or development and the proposed arena is located in the section of the field that is most suitable for the works.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

No lighting was proposed in the application and that has been imposed as a condition.