PLANS to build an equestrian rehabilitation unit on a farm near Moreton-in-Marsh were refused by Cotswold District Council (CDC) due to the potential detrimental impact on the landscape.

Far Heath Farm in Evenlode is owned by Tom and Lucinda Campbell, with the plan to also have included changing agricultural land for the keeping of horses.

An American-style barn with stables, treatment rooms and a staff flat would also have been built as well as a hay and machinery store, a horse walker, lunge pen and large 'sand school', measuring 60m by 30m.

At a meeting on Wednesday, planning committee members felt the economic benefits of the site were outweighed by the negative impact on the town's Special Landscape Area.

The plans would have included the creation of four jobs with a further £200,000 reinvested into the local economy each year, according to the agent –Tom Kernon, of Kernon Country Consultants Ltd.

The application was deferred by the committee at a meeting last month in order for members to undertake a site visit, which took place in the first week of this month.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Kernon said: "You must weigh carefully the MPPF obligation to promote land-based businesses.

"[Mr Campbell is] an up-and-coming veterinary star with high quality competition horses.

"The Cotswolds is a real centre of excellence for equestrianism. These leading competitors need long term recuperative veterinary care. There's a need for this specialist type of recuperative centre that Tom and Lucinda are going to run."

Case officer Martin Perks had recommended planning committee members refuse the application, citing the detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the land.

However, the parish council as well as CDC ward member Cllr Julian Beale both voiced support for the scheme, particularly due to the economic benefits.

Cllr Tony Berry said: "Basically, what we're looking here is a matter of principle. I am conflicted with this because it obviously is an interesting business plan, it's well-supported, everything is there that is needed, but it is right slap bang in the middle of a nice green field.”

Various councillors also questioned why the applicants hadn’t sought pre-application advice before buying the land.

Cllr David Fowles said: “It seems to me that the policy is so clear and it's as if we're being encouraged because of the issues to do with equestrian and rural development to go against our clearly defined policy."

10 members voted to refuse the application, with four in favour.