Plea to keep stables complex built illegally

A millionaire businessman is urging a Government planning inspector to let him keep a horse riding complex built illegally at his South Staffordshire home, despite angry protests from a neighbour.

Tony Wright is now waiting to learn whether he has to knock down the stables in Penkridge.

Last week Mr Wright, the boss of Cannock-based Halsall Electrical, was told a road leading up to the stables, built without planning permission, was able to remain after a public inquiry.

South Staffordshire Council said on the "balance of probability", it was built more than four years ago and was eligible for a certificate of lawfulness.

The riding complex is next door to the £500,000 home of Levedale Road resident Deborah Vine, who claimed the access road had not been built before January 2009.

Mrs Vine complained to the district council about the riding centre in 2008. Planning bosses then threw out a recommendation from their own officers to grant retrospective approval.

Mrs Vine, who lives with her two teenage children, told yesterday's hearing at South Staffordshire Council's headquarters in Codsall the stables and traffic had made her life a "nightmare".

She said: "There are comings and goings along that road all the time. A good night's sleep is something we do not get anymore. I have lost my privacy."

But David Stentiford, from Pegasus Planning Group, appearing on behalf of Mr Wright, said vehicles used the road only around five times a month.

He added: "The Wright family are very interested in equestrian activities. It's their lifetime passion.

"They want the best facilities for their horses. Vehicles only use the road up to five times a month."

Inspector Mr Ahsan Ghafoor said it would take between five and seven weeks for a decision.