Geri Halliwell and her husband, Christian Horner, are facing a new obstacle in their attempt to get approval for a £30,000 exercise pen for their horses at their large country home.
Victoria Beckham, 53, and her husband, Formula 1 boss David Beckham, 52, are seeking permission to build a large, 77-foot-tall riding arena for their eight horses at their historic home in Oxfordshire.
The couple runs a horse racing business, OMBI, and recently constructed new stables for their 14 horses at their home in Oxfordshire.
The team hired a dedicated trainer, and each of their horses is named after one of Geri’s songs.
Drawings show the walker would be built with a steel frame and cladded with black composite panels.
Despite their efforts, the project has faced several challenges, and recently it was discovered that the planned structure would obstruct a public walkway.
Geri and Christian are requesting to reroute the path north of the property, but the local council wants it to stay open and clear.
The Northamptonshire Ramblers also expressed their disapproval, telling the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden that they completely support the council’s efforts to protect and maintain the public footpath on the property in question.
The Horners have had ongoing disagreements with their neighbors, often sparked by renovations and improvements they’ve made to their home.
Plans for a walkway near their house caused controversy back in April, with neighbors worried it would block views of established trees.
Residents complained to the council about the proposed development’s location and size, its impact on the property’s grounds, increased light pollution, a lack of sufficient screening, and the absence of a plan to move items already stored on the site.
A neighbor told the Mail that they weren’t against the idea of a horse walker to help with horseback riding on the property, but they did object to the specific plans as they were drawn up.
Our neighbor also pointed out that the building would be very noticeable from our home, other houses in the village, and the main road.
The building would be located on a hilltop overlooking a stream, making it very visible and blocking the view of existing trees.
The neighbor also expressed concern that the main house would be isolated, suggesting there are other, more suitable locations on the property where it could be built.
We recommend placing the horse walker south of the equestrian barn. This location would be sheltered from view by the existing buildings to the north and east.
This structure is massive, measuring 22 meters across – about the same length as two double-decker buses placed bumper to bumper. Its highest point reaches 7 meters, which is more than half the height of a double-decker bus.
If the building didn’t include a roof – which is typical for horse walkers – it would be much less noticeable and wouldn’t bother neighbors as much.
Our neighbor also mentioned the potential for light pollution. Because the planned structure is open above the railing, it could create a bright, 22-meter-wide glow on cloudy days or if the Horse Walker is used at night.
This change wouldn’t be allowed in a countryside conservation area because it would drastically alter the area’s natural feel and appearance.
Residents said the recently planted hawthorn hedge didn’t provide enough screening or privacy.
During recent landscaping, the owners installed hedges for privacy, using a mix of thick evergreen bushes and tall, woven trees. This combination quickly created a screen over 3 meters high.
If the proposal is approved, we ask that this screening method be used to maintain consistency with the rest of the property.
A neighbor objected to the plans, stating the horse walker’s tall roof – reaching 7 meters at its highest point – won’t be hidden by the new hedge.
This building will be a prominent landmark outside the current town limits and will noticeably change the view from different locations within the parish and along the road.
If a roof is needed, I think there are alternative designs that would be shorter and less noticeable against the sky.
The property already has plenty of lighting, and we don’t want any additional lights on outside of regular business hours.
Adding more lights would shine into the dark space currently behind the barn.
A representative for Geri and Christian Horner stated that they plan to build an 8-stall automatic horse exerciser. It will be a steel structure with a roof and walls made of black composite panels.
The structure will be roughly 22 meters across and have a multi-sided shape. It will be 3 meters high at the eaves (the edge of the roof) and rise to a peak of 7 meters. This design will help it blend in with the surroundings, as the new hedging grows and provides screening from most viewpoints.
The applicant also referenced DEFRA’s code of practice for the welfare of horses.
The planning agent explained that animals need at least one opportunity each day to exercise off their leash for a sufficient amount of time.
Installing the horse walker will guarantee consistent, proper exercise for the horses, no matter the weather or other challenges.
The new horse walker will give horses a dedicated area for exercise without being tied up. Its design, light construction, and materials will blend it seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, and it will be located near the existing barn.
After the new hedgerow grows and fills in, it will effectively block views of the farm from both the public and neighboring properties.
The heritage services team had no concerns about the development, as the proposed building site is about 100 meters from a set of buildings officially recognized for their historical importance.
The planned horse walker would be located behind the current stud barn. This barn is a large building made of stone and wood, with a gently sloping, two-sided roof.
As a local, I was really pleased to hear that the horse walker wouldn’t be seen from the village’s conservation area. Apparently, because of where they’re putting it, you won’t be able to see it when looking west from the main road – which keeps the area’s lovely views unspoiled.
The new horse walker would be seen from the west, when looking towards the conservation area.
From where I stand as a long-time admirer of this place, any new construction would be seen with the old stud barn right behind it, along with a few of the newer, single-story buildings, and peeking over the roofs of those beautiful, historic buildings we’ve worked so hard to preserve. It’s a really sensitive location, and everything needs to fit in with what’s already there.
The surrounding buildings represent a mix of old and new styles, as well as homes and farms, reflected in their size, shape, and the materials they’re made from.
The proposed horse walker is not expected to affect the special character of the conservation area or how the listed buildings appear. Because of this, there are no concerns from a heritage perspective.
This request follows a previous approval three years ago, which allowed Geri and Christian to add a first-floor extension, replace their barn, and build a new greenhouse.
Last year, the couple upset local residents when they received approval to build a second swimming pool, which many worried would negatively impact the area’s natural beauty.
Last month, residents learned they might have to remove their pergola and gazebo because they were built without the necessary permits and are blocking a view of a historic church that was previously considered beautiful and natural.
The celebrity couple recently lost their fight to keep the pergola and gazebo they’d already built in their garden. Because they built the structures without permission next to their pool, authorities are now requiring them to be taken down.
According to the decision notice, planning official Forrest Childs denied permission for the work that had already been done, stating it negatively impacted the view of the historic church from various points.
He wrote: ‘Both structures are located between the grade II listed house and grade I listed Church.
The Conservation Officer is worried about how large the pergola is, how it looks, and where it’s been placed.
Although the pergola is well-built, it’s visible from the garden and blocks the view of the historic church. Because the church is a designated Grade I listed building, this impacts its important surroundings.
Okay, so this incredible, historic church – seriously, it’s amazing – used to be surrounded by just…peace. Like, the land right around it was perfect, untouched, exactly as it should be. But then…they started building things, and it just ruined the whole vibe. It wasn’t the same after that, honestly. It had this beautiful, natural setting before, and now…well, it’s just not the same.
The pergola, an open-framed structure made of oak beams, was constructed east of an already-approved swimming pool, right next to the property line wall.
The gazebo, located northeast of the pool, was built with sturdy oak beams and topped with a pyramid-shaped slate roof.
According to Mr. Childs from West Northamptonshire Council, the gazebo is about 4 feet above the boundary wall and can be seen by the public.
The pergola is located just inside the property line, hidden from public view, but clearly visible from the historic house it’s near.
He explained the refusal by stating that the planned building, due to its size, location, and how it looks, wouldn’t be a suitable development and would clash with the historic building it’s next to.
Several neighbours also submitted objections on the application.
Someone pointed out that this structure has already been constructed, including a sauna that’s taller than the existing wall, which isn’t allowed in this protected historical area.
A neighbor also pointed out that the council should have noticed this construction during their inspection for the swimming pool and other work, as it’s been there for at least four months.
‘Questions need to be asked and answered. Somehow, a 30 foot long pergola was missed.’
A neighbor also wondered why the development wasn’t stopped earlier, saying, ‘This used to be a lovely, charming home and garden in a protected area.’
‘Where are you inspectors, or do the rules not apply here?’
The council’s heritage team also opposed the plan. They explained that while the pergola is well-built, it’s visible from the garden and blocks views of the nearby Grade I listed church, negatively affecting its surroundings.
The heritage team also pointed out that a red brick pizza oven, complete with a chimney, has been built.
‘Based on its construction I would consider this development.
The chimney is visible from outside the building and, combined with other issues, is believed to be damaging the historic structure.
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2025-12-09 20:23