A Herefordshire man has been told that facilities for his equestrian business near Brilley, between Kington and Hay-on-Wye, are not permitted - and he may be required to remove them.

Darren Pickaver had submitted a retrospective application seeking approval for a “horse blanket washdown room,” toilet, and parking area next to the caravan from which he runs his business.

However, a representative from neighbouring Brilley Court Farms argued the site was “inappropriate for an equestrian or any other business” due to its lack of mains electricity. They added that Mr Pickaver had relied on an “unsustainable” portable generator, the noise from which “reverberates along the valley for long periods.” Concerns were also raised about an apparently unpermitted septic tank on Mr Pickaver’s land, which could risk contaminating the neighbouring Milhalf Brook.

The proposal appeared to conflict with a previous retrospective permission granted in 2021 for a stable building, tack room, and field shelter, which were to be used for Mr Pickaver’s own horses only, not for commercial purposes.

Among nine public objectors, neighbour Duncan Sutherst said the caravan was “very unsightly” and that the narrow lane to the site could not handle additional traffic. Harry Lort-Phillips claimed Mr Pickaver appeared to be living there year-round and described his proposed block as “utter rubbish,” saying it “had nothing to do with horses.”

Brilley Parish Council said residents had made “numerous complaints” and criticised the application for failing to explain the nature of the equestrian business or its potential vehicle and environmental impacts.

Planning officer Matthew Neilson sided with the objectors, concluding that the proposal “represents an unsustainable form of development,” with no demonstrated need. He also warned that “any development on the site which is not in accordance with an extant permission will be subject to enforcement action.”

Mr Pickaver declined to comment on the outcome.