Watch: Shropshire horse riders jump to save their school
Horse riders today vowed to fight to protect their school from the threat of being demolished and replaced by homes.
Staff and clients of Nedge Farm Riding Centre fear for its future after the land was earmarked for potential development in Telford & Wrekin Council's draft Local Plan – a blueprint shaping future development in the borough.
It was revealed in July that up to 25,000 jobs will be created and 3,500 homes built across Telford & Wrekin over the next 16 years.
Land earmarked for potential development included The Hem, between Telford and Shifnal that includes Nedge Farm Riding Centre. Around 300 homes could be built in this area.
While there is currently no planning application to build on the land, which is owned by the Homes & Communities Agency, riding centre owner Anne Curtis-Durnall said this could change in the future.
Ms Curtis-Durnall, who started the riding centre 17 years ago, appealed for help in protecting the site.
Ms Curtis-Durnall will host an open day on Sunday between 10am and 3pm offering free rides to raise awareness of the role the Centre plays for people of all ages. She said: "My sister lives in the house on site and I lease the land surrounding it from the HCA and this is something I've done for 17 years – the fact that this land has been earmarked for potential development is absolutely heartbreaking for us.
"We have around 40 horses, provide lessons and livery for the community, we have trainees undertaking NVQs and work with children at schools and groups across the country. We have four staff members and it's the livelihood of my daughter and I.
"We need to fight now to protect the centre. We weren't even told about it directly, it's devastating." Horse rider Sue Harris has been a client at the centre in Shifnal for more than 15 years. She said: "I would be devastated to see the Centre go. This cannot happen and we need to protect this site."
A Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) spokesperson said: "We can confirm that the HCA currently owns farm land and some of the outbuildings at Nedge Farm in Shifnal, some of which are currently leased to a riding school. However the HCA does not own Nedge Farm itself."
For more information visit the website www.nedgefarmridingcentre.co.uk or call (01952) 728205.
