Polo patron wins fight for equestrian centre at Midhurst

Polo patron Nick Clarke and his daughter Hannah Hurvenes-Clarke, an international dressage competitor have won their long running battle with the South Downs National Park for an equestrian centre at Brackenwood on Telegraph Hill at Midhurst.
Hannah Hurvenes-Clarke and Nick Clarke at Brackenwood SUS-150325-164251001Hannah Hurvenes-Clarke and Nick Clarke at Brackenwood SUS-150325-164251001
Hannah Hurvenes-Clarke and Nick Clarke at Brackenwood SUS-150325-164251001

The national park has also been ordered to pay some of their costs by inquiry inspector Kevin Gleeson who said the park had ‘acted unreasonably’ over one of the appeal issues. This had resulted in the inquiry being postponed and ‘unnecessary and wasted expense’ for Mr Clarke and his daughter. Mr Gleeson refused a costs application from the park.

The inspector gave the go ahead for the centre after a five day inquiry. Mr Clarke and his daughter appealed against refusal of permission for a change of use of land to mixed agricultural and equestrian (dressage) use and retention of facilities including a barn, horsewalker and exercise track.

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Their victory came after failing to win an appeal in 2014 and being unsuccessful in a High Court appeal in 2015.

Granting permission, Mr Gleeson imposed a raft of conditions including limiting the number of horses to be kept to 11. He said he did not believe the proposal effected the historic landscape and it was not contrary of policies to protect tranquillity.

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