A plan to build a holiday home “with music/art studio” at a Herefordshire equine business has been given the go-ahead.

The single-bedroom unit at the Losito Stud, Marstow near Whitchurch, will replace an existing barn and will use an existing septic tank and car parking.

“The holiday let will enable the applicants to not just offer a holiday let but riding holidays etc,” the business’s application said.

The existing road access onto the A4137, near the junction with the A40, will be used.

RELATED NEWS:

Whitchurch and Ganarew Group Parish Council objected to the plan, claiming that “no functional need has been demonstrated” for the proposal, lying outside the Whitchurch settlement boundary.

“Previous applications for a dwelling have been made and refused, as should this latest proposal,” it said.

But planning officer Elsie Morgan ruled the plan was in accordance with county policy on tourism development and siting, as it was within reach of Whitchurch’s amenities and services, and had drawn no technical objections.

“Though a relatively large holiday let, the proposal makes use of existing built form on the site, albeit in re-built manner, whilst diversifying the existing business,” she concluded.

Conditions attached to the permission prevent separate sale or leasing of the home from the stud, or for non-holiday use of the home.

The Losito Stud is run by former Italian national show-jumping team manager Giovanni Losito, who trains both horses and riders from the property.