STABLES built on green belt land in Eastwood without planning permission could be torn down.

A retrospective planning application for three stables alongside LED lighting with a solar panel have been rejected after they were built without permission from Southend Council.

The 12-metre by 4-metre stables are on a ten-acre site on land north of Roach Vale, Eastwood which is surrounded by hedgerows trees and a small wooded area.

The application said the stables would be used for “private equestrian purposes, for the recreational use of the applicant”.

Neighbours notified of the application objected with one raising concerns the site may be used for equestrian events.

Other objectors said the barn would be an “enormous eyesore”, and there were fears over expansion in future.

The application said: “The proposed development is proportionate and will enable the landowner to meet the practical needs of keeping his three horses on the land and to allow long-term management and maintenance of the grass sward.

“The scale and location of the proposed development, adjacent to an existing retained vegetated and tree lined boundary to the south of the field ensures that the stable block, barn and associated infrastructure will not impact on the openness of the green belt.”

The application also included a container for solar electric apparatus alongside an 8,000 litre freestanding water storage tank.

A proposal for a 10-metre by 10-metre barn has also been refused. Planning officers deemed the development inappropriate.

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Their report concluded: “The development constitutes inappropriate development in the green belt which would significantly detract from the openness of the green belt.

“As such the development results in both “in principle” green belt harm and additional physical harm to the green belt. It is considered that the development as a whole has failed to demonstrate that the very special circumstances required to justify the inappropriate development in the green belt would apply to the whole development in this case such that it would not outweigh the green belt harm identified.”

The applicant could launch an appeal but if that failed the council says it will seek enforcement action.