The main parties agreed that the primary use of the land comprised keeping horses for private recreational purposes. The appellants' daughter visited the site on a daily basis and they often travelled to shows and competitions. As well as a horse box and tractor, a truck was used to transport bales of hay and bedding while a tipper truck took away manure. These tasks were undertaken once a month.
The inspector accepted that larger vehicles helped cut the number and length of journeys. However, she also observed that it is unusual to see such vehicles parked on land devoted to keeping horses for private use. In her view, they altered the site's open appearance and were not needed, given the infrequency of their use. As the appellants could not prove the use had existed continuously for ten years, the notice was upheld.
DCS Number 100-069-781
Inspector Diane Lewis; Inquiry
