Dear All,

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has already signed the petition to save our beloved Kiln Equestrian Centre. Your support truly means the world to us.

We’re now at a critical stage,  and we need your voice again. The planning permission request that threatens the future of the centre is under review, and submitting formal objections can make a real, tangible difference.

Please take a moment to submit your objection. Every voice counts, and together, we can protect Kiln Equestrian Centre for generations to come.

With gratitude,
Angela Macleod

Website:  https://www.easthants.gov.uk/planning-services and setup an account and you can then object to the planning permision request.

Here are the planning application details:  EHDC-25-0742-FUL (Land at Fullers Road, Rowledge, GU10 4LB)

In addition to your own thoughts and testimonies or personal experiences at The Kiln, please use some of the following material considerations but put them in your own words:  

- I object to this planning application as it represents the sub-urbanisation of Holt Pound through a medium-high density infilling of a commercially used equestrian field, which is inconsistent with the existing low-density built environment along Fullers Road. This conflicts with Local Plan Policy CP29.

- The site is outside the Local Plan settlement boundary and is countryside land. The proposed development conflicts with Local Plan Policy CP19 as it does not demonstrate a clear or proven need associated with the appropriate uses outlined in the policy.

- The proposal is speculative and does not benefit from any formal allocation or policy support in the adopted Local Plan.

- The Highway Authority considers the site unsustainable, as its location outside the built environment and distance from services conflict with Active Travel England and Hampshire LTP4 policies, and there is insufficient evidence that Cala can mitigate against private car use for the density of this development.

- Development of the field would lead to the loss of essential equestrian land leased by The Kiln Equestrian Centre, a valued rural business established in 2005 and force the riding school to close, resulting in 11 direct job losses and the removal of a unique community facility that supports children with special needs, bereaved adults, and others locally.

- Cala’s proposed development conflicts directly with Local Plan Policy CP16, CP17, and NPPF paragraph 104, which all seek to protect existing community and sporting facilities such as The Kiln. Cala cannot satisfy the criteria under CP16 and CP17 because the field has been used continuously for commercial purposes for 20 years, is not surplus to requirements and is not being replaced. 

- The development threatens The Kiln’s viability by removing land integral to its daily commercial operations. This conflicts with the principle of supporting rural enterprise in both Local Plan Policy CP6 and NPPF paragraphs 88-89. 

- The development conflicts with NPPF paragraphs 96 & 98 which prioritise healthy, inclusive and safe places and the need to guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities that serve health and social need such as The Kiln.

- Cala’s application fails to assess the impact that the loss of the field will have on The Kiln and undermines the validity of their community engagement claims and leaves a material consideration unaddressed. 

IMPORTANT POINT TO RAISE: Even though Cala argue that the ‘Tilted Balance’ applies, the proposed development should still be refused because it conflicts with national policies protecting community facilities (NPPF para 98), open space (para 104), rural enterprise (paras 88–89), and health and wellbeing (para 96). The claimed benefits (market housing) do not outweigh the permanent harm to local wellbeing, inclusion, employment, and rural character.