THE owner of a popular horse riding school in Wyre Forest is fighting a restriction implemented by the council which means her daughter can’t take over when she retires.

Adele Thomas, who runs Alton Piece Equestrian Centre in Rock, is in a planning battle with Wyre Forest District Council over a condition placed on the land 14 years ago which states only she can use it for a riding school.

This means that planning permission would cease if Adele retired.

In an effort to overthrow the restriction, Adele and her 21-year-old daughter Molly applied for a Certificate of Lawful Use, but the bid was refused by council planners.

The pair are now fighting the decision through the Planning Inspectorate.

Adele said: “We had the original planning permission in 2004 and we’re trying to get some of the conditions lifted so that my daughter can carry on the business when I decide to retire.

“We do group and private lessons with children and adults throughout the year and we do quite a lot with people with special needs and disabilities.

“My daughter Molly works here full-time as a yard manager and instructor but at the moment, if I retire, the business would have to close.”

Molly added: “I’ve been very involved in the business from a young age and when I left school I decided this is what I wanted to pursue. I love it.”

Customers spoke out in support of the appeal at a hearing in Kidderminster on Tuesday (January 12), and Adele and Molly are awaiting the result.

Cllr Chris Roger, cabinet member for planning at Wyre Forest District Council, said: “The riding school made a lawful use application claiming they haven’t followed certain conditions for the past 10 years and therefore had unrestricted use.

"We refused the unrestricted use application, as evidence presented to us illustrated they were in fact following the conditions set.”