AN appeal against the refusal of plans for an equestrian centre on farmland near Stanford-le-Hope has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

The proposal related to a seven acre site on the north east side of Southend Road, Fobbing, and sought permission to change the use of vacant agricultural land to equestrian facilities.

The scheme included stables, a storage hut, a trackway, gravel surfaces, paddocks and up to 15 parking spaces.

Thurrock Council did not issue a decision within the statutory timeframe, prompting the applicant, Ioan Costea, to lodge an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

However, a council officer report prepared before the appeal recommended refusal on Green Belt, highway safety and character grounds.

Following a site visit in January, the Inspector, Jane Smith, concluded the development would represent inappropriate development in the green belt and would not preserve its openness.

Although national planning policy allows certain equestrian uses in the green belt, the inspector found the scale of development went beyond what would be necessary for grazing or private horse keeping.

Particular concern was raised over the extent of hardstanding, the number of proposed parking spaces and a separate security and storage cabin near the site entrance.

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The decision stated that the cumulative impact of these features would cause moderate harm to the openness of the green belt, both visually and spatially, and would therefore conflict with local and national planning policy.

Highway safety was also a significant factor. The site access opens directly onto Southend Road, a busy B class road with a 50mph speed limit, close to multiple roundabouts linking to the A13 and A176.

The Inspector found visibility at the access was restricted and affected by surrounding features outside the applicant's control, including vegetation, parked vehicles and nearby commercial uses.

She concluded that safe and suitable access could not be guaranteed and that the proposal would prejudice road safety, particularly given the level of activity implied by the proposed parking provision.

While the Inspector accepted that the scheme would not cause harm to the wider character or appearance of the area, she found there were no "very special circumstances" to outweigh the harm identified to the Green Belt and highway safety.

Modest benefits put forward, including biodiversity net gain and recreational use of vacant land, were considered insufficient.