A CONTROVERSIAL plan for a stable at a Meon Valley home has been rejected for a third time, with councillors this time citing concerns over contamination to water.

Annette Cooper submitted a second application for part retrospective permission to construct the barn in a field at her property, Hayden Barn Cottage, on Hayden Lane, near Warnford.

The proposal went before the committee in August last year and in front of the Planning Inspectorate, but it was rejected on both occasions. The inspector dismissed the appeal “due to lack of acknowledgement of the change of use of land”.

Mrs Cooper returned with another bid, this time also seeking change of use of land from agriculture to equestrian, and the application went before Winchester City Council’s planning committee on Wednesday last week.

Neighbour Jackie Ware said: “This is an emotional plea to urge you to vote against this application for a second time we were extremely shocked when the applicant reapplied for what is essentially the same application following its refusal from both committee and appeal. We have had to endure this for over two years, and it is very depressing.

“Concerns were [previously] raised regarding flooding and unfortunately, they were correct, the unauthorised engineering works have caused structural damage to our swimming pool wall.

“We are very concerned that the runoff from horse waste which will be situated on a steep slope directly above our pond will pollute it and kill the fish and wildlife.”

The committee was told that the ground has been lifted five feet to allow for a level platform for the stable, but councillors raised issue as to whether this work cause run-off from equine activities into the River Meon and a borehole planned by Mrs Ware, causing contamination.

Cllr Brian Laming said that the issue was of “paramount importance” and Cllr Michael Read added: “This is something that could have a very large effect on the waterways in the locality”, saying the area is a “collection point”.

Mrs Cooper’s agent Dan Roycroft argued that any water would “drain through infiltration through the ground” but added: “I guess eventually it will all infiltrate into the river”.

The committee were told that any waste from the horses would be removed in a contained trailer on a regular basis and taken away from the site by a local contractor, but Mr Roycroft could not tell the committee the arrangement for this.

Concerns were also raised that the stable would mean that Mrs Ware would not be able to continue the conservation work with the Bird of Prey Hospital as the building is eight metres away from their main aviary.

Councillors refused the application as it was deemed that could pollute groundwater, surface water and watercourse corridors.