Officers of Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) have notified us of an extremely harmful decision to no longer allow us to use seven acres of summer grazing at Itchen Valley Country Park “Lower Russell's Meadows”, this jeopardises Russell’s Equestrian Centre, a local 50 year established business, and The Epona Trust horse rescue and rehabilitation non-profit company.  

Russell’s Equestrian Centre and The Epona Trust have grazed this land, owned by EBC for summer grazing for over 10 years since losing alternative grazing to housing.  We rely on the grazing for our horses and have provided good management of the land.  Without this grazing we face not being able to continue the rescue work of The Epona Trust as we will have no space to take in new rescues. Alternative grazing can only be found outside the Borough which would cause immense financial pressure, plus increased environmental risk to  our winter grazing as it would be overworked and that would increase the risk of the loss of our licence to operate.  Moreover, the amenity and aesthetic value of the land and local views will be severely and detrimentally changed.

There has been no consultation, with this decision made behind closed doors and seemingly without due process.   Councillors sitting on the Local Area Committee (LAC) have confirmed their agreement was not obtained, and furthermore it was demanded by a councillor on the LAC that alternative grazing should be secured for the horses before any transfer of the land to another use.  

Suitable grazing for horses is not likely to be found within the Eastleigh Borough as acknowledged by EBC’s Countryside Operations Manager in their sole communication to terminate our use of the land, received shortly before EBC closed for Christmas (Dec 19th).

The past licence agreement has been  based on the land being unsuitable for winter use as it required resting, and no fencing or shelters were permitted.  It seems EBC now is delegating the land as suitable for up to 70 breeding alpacas to be grazed year-round with sheds and permanent fencing with construction already starting.  This would be contrary to established animal management and land management practices and raises public health concerns regarding effective TB control.

Russell’s Equestrian Centre and The Epona Trust  provide essential community services over many years.  Russell’s Equestrian Centre specialises in ethical riding techniques, focusing on biomechanics of horse and rider to increase the confidence of the rider and the horse so that they are progressing steadily and with respect for each other.  Russell’s Equestrian Centre is also a Riding for the Disabled accessibility mark centre and offers groundwork and riding to a wide range of people of all abilities in the local community.   The Epona Trust specialises in the rehabilitation of horses and ponies from difficult and challenging backgrounds, enabling them to live happy and fulfilled lives.

Saving this land isn't just about preventing jeopardy for one business and a non profit trust that provide irreplaceable services to our local community; it's also about valuing and protecting an important ecosystem, safeguarding the wellbeing of these horses and ultimately demanding that the council engages in effective consultation and follows due process in making these impactful decisions.

Please, make a stand for this cause, join us in advocating for a full review by local councillors of this decision and the decision-making process, with full participation of all impacted parties. We are hopeful a fully-evidenced and duly considered decision will result in us keeping access to local grazing.  Sign the petition today and make a difference.