Geri Halliwell and husband ex-F1 boss Christian Horner win neighbour row over plan to build £30k horse walker on estate
GERI Halliwell has jumped the final hurdle in a neighbour row – as her plans to build a £30k horse walker are finally approved.
The Spice Girls singer and her husband, ex-F1 boss Christian Horner, want to install the 77ft structure to train horses near their Oxfordshire home.
Geri, 53, and Christian, 52, own a horse racing company called OMBI, featuring stables for 14 horses and a full-time trainer.
But plans for the walker, essentially a circular cage that moves horses to improve their fitness, were met with fury by locals, with several objections registered with West Northamptonshire District Council.
Concerns over the height of the building, its visual impact, inadequate screening, and lighting have been raised by neighbours.
However, the council has now approved the application, provided the celebrity pair follow strict conditions.
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It said: “The building shall be used for private equestrian and land management uses only and no commercial use, including riding lessons, tuition, livery or competitions shall take place at any time.”
The authority added: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the walker incorporates a steep pitched roof for its size, the general design is functional in form.
“Giving regard to its siting, scale and rural-equestrian character, the design is considered appropriate for the open countryside location and would not harm the character of the area.”
Full details of lighting still need to be approved before it is built, but it is far enough away from neighbours not to cause issues, the council added.
And the couple have proposed to hide the training device with 12 newly-planted trees, which was deemed appropriate by planners.
But one neighbour, who objected to the horse walker plans, fumed the structure would be “extremely prominent” on the skyline.
He said: “Whilst we do not object to the principle of a horse walker… we object to the plans as currently presented.
“The proposed structure would be extremely visible from our property, other village properties, and from a public highway.
“In a rural conservation area this would be unacceptable as it would completely change the character of the area.”
The local also objected to the main property being “away from the main buildings when other infill sites are available”.
Another slammed the proposed lighting set-up and described the suggested screening as “totally inadequate.”
They said: “There is already significant lighting at the property. We would not want to see this area illuminated outside of normal working hours.
“Further lighting would be encroaching into an area which is currently unlit behind the existing barn.”
Writing on behalf of Geri and Christian, a planning agent pointed to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) codes.
He wrote: “It states that animals must be given freedom to exercise off the tether for a reasonable period at least once a day.
“The installation of the horse walker will ensure that this is possible and that they are exercised properly, regardless of weather conditions and other limiting factors.
“The proposed horse walker will provide the horses with a space to be suitably exercised off the tether.
“Once the new hedgerow matures it will be largely screened from all public and private views onto the farm.”
The scheme is the latest in a number of planning rows between the couple and their neighbours.
Geri and Christian were recently given approval to keep a pergola that had been built without planning permission.
Just last year, they were allowed to build a second pool on the grounds despite fears it would be a “blot on the landscape”.
And three years ago, they were also granted permission for a first floor extension, a replacement barn and a new greenhouse.
Geri’s representatives have been approached for comment.