New report aims to create thriving equine sector in the North

The CLA is launching a new policy report aimed at creating a modern and thriving sector for equine businesses in the North

The report - Clearing Hurdles - says the equine industry is being held back by restrictions on planning, insurance and tax.

CLA North Regional Director Dorothy Fairburn said: "Equine businesses are unable to develop because of planning restrictions. The CLA is calling on the Government to reform the planning system so that it is cheaper, simpler and faster to use, and recognises the limited impact of well-managed equine businesses on the environment and landscape. We want planning authorities to take a far more positive approach to equine businesses."

Miss Fairburn said the Government should consider deregulation for smaller business tenancies while respecting the rights of those who own property.
She said: "The CLA is calling on the Government to retain Small Business Rate Relief and other simply administered reliefs and to reverse the abolition of the partial exemption for empty commercial property."

The report also calls on the Government to resolve the spiralling cost of horse insurance which is forcing some equine businesses to close.

Miss Fairburn added: "We need the Government to make good its promise to amend the 1971 Animals Act so owners are not deemed liable for incidents involving their animals that are beyond their control."

Equestrian start Lucinda Green, who is backing the new report, said: "I am very pleased the CLA is lobbying for much-needed changes to the law and giving practical advice to equine businesses on how to overcome the challenges they face. For many in the industry, this is just the kind of leg-up they need."

The report has been welcomed by equine businesses throughout the North.

Evelyn Tate, who runs the Kirlevington Riding Centre near Yarm with her daughter, Jennifer Brooks, said: "I have been in this business for 30 years and it has got to the point where we are being completely strangled by red tape.

"When we wanted to build a new ménage, which would help grow the business and support the local economy, the fee for submitting a planning application alone was £10,000. Our monthly insurance payments have also now reached the £500 mark, which is more than our entire annual premium used to be when I started out."

Everley Buckley, who runs Hill Farm Stud near Windermere with his wife Judi and son Simon, said: "Negotiating the planning system can be ridiculously bureaucratic. In order to grow our training centre we wanted to build a new outdoor ménage but it took us a staggering four years to gain planning approval.

"Our insurance costs have also spiralled up to about £2,000 per year, which is mainly down to public liability cover even though our clients are all experienced riders, using their own horses."

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