Equestrian Centre Justification
NOTE (ref no 8):
For over 20 years, a lean-to of the dimensions shown on the accompanying detailed plans has stood on the west side of the covered riding school. This has been used for the storage of grain and latterly other things of all kinds. Also it has always been envisaged that it would be used as a viewing area for the covered riding school and, for this purpose, flaps were provided along the interior wall of the covered riding school.
It is now intended that the existing building should be used as a viewing area; refreshment area; lecture area and toilets and for the display and sale of equestrian items, in connection with the equestrian activities carried on at Ballacallin Mooar.
In the UK and throughout Europe, leading equestrian centres have the facility of viewing areas divided by suitable glass windows from riding schools; refreshment areas; lecture areas; toilets and an area for the display and sale of equestrian related goods, such as books on aspects of riding. Numerous examples of such equestrian establishments can be quoted, such as Addington, which lies between Aylsbury and Buckingham.
Except for the addition of a small covered area between the building which is the subject of the application and the existing un-enclosed viewing area, there would be no changes to the footprint of the existing building, which would remain exactly as it is. The roof would remain externally exactly the same, with a hanging ceiling inside. However, the existing walls would be removed and replaced by concrete/thermal blocks on the inside and on the north west and south outside by wooden boarding to improve the appearance of the building.
As will be seen from the plan, there are viewing facilities in four of the existing bays; there is a lecture area for equestrian lectures and meetings; there is a refreshment area with a servery and service store; there are large WCs with showers, which are big enough for people to use for changing. There is also an area for the display and sale of equestrian items.
It is intended that the decoration of the interior should be simple, inline with that of an equestrian establishment.
The floor would be some kind of plastic coating that is easy to clean.
The layout of the tables and chairs etc shown on the plans is as an example only and the exact furnishings etc will be decided, depending on what becomes available on economic terms.
