Dido Harding and her husband John Penrose are facing scrutiny over their plans to replace an orchard with a new riding arena and barn at their North Somerset village home in Winscombe. After removing 1.4 acres of orchards, the couple submitted plans for the construction, which has led to objections from the local community. Concerns include noise, disruptions to views, and the removal of an ancient orchard.
The couple’s statement mentioned that the existing orchards were of poor quality and unproductive due to their age, justifying their removal. It also outlined their need for a larger riding arena to accommodate safe training for ex-racehorses. However, 17 objections were lodged against the plans, with locals expressing concerns about the impact on the landscape and neighborhood.
Dido Harding, known for leading Test and Trace during the Covid-19 pandemic, is a prominent horse racing enthusiast and intends to keep up to six horses on the property throughout the year. Their planning agent emphasized that the application was made in line with guidelines and cited the approval of similar horse arenas nearby.
READ MORE: Yeovil: A Somerset Hotspot for Home-Sellers
READ MORE: Latest Death and Funeral Notices in Somerset
The dispute has garnered attention in the local community, with the plans expected to undergo review by the council’s planning committee. The couple’s previous construction of a modern swimming pool next to a historic village church also stirred controversy, indicating a history of contentious development projects in the area.