Ledbury Pony Club has won planning permission for a cross-country course around an ancient monument in Eldersfield.

The club applied to Malvern Hills District Council to use a site next to Gadbury Coppice and Gadbury Plantation.

Its plans were supported by councillors on the planning sub-committee on Tuesday night with chairman John Tretheway commenting: "I think it is a lovely site and good luck to them."

The agreement formalises the use of the site, which the council had been investigating following complaints, with permission for permanent jumps.

In its submission the club said there would be 14 days a year of competition open to the general public, between March and October.

Concerns were raised about the wildlife habitat on the site and the council has made it a condition of permission that an area to the western side is kept free from incursion. It followed a request from Worcestershire Wildlife

Trust.

The club will also have to submit a landscaping scheme and will not be allowed to use a public address system for more than ten days a year and then not for music.

The site surrounds the scheduled ancient monument of Gadbury Hill Fort and the whole area is leased to the club by its owners, the Ledbury Hunt.

English Heritage raised no objection to the plan. It was also supported by Eldersfield Parish Council, which told MHDC: "Eldersfield is a rural parish whereby pony riding and associated activities sit comfortably with the community."