CONTROVERSIAL plans to build an equestrian centre in York's Green Belt were rejected by councillors, but only just.

City of York Council's west area planning committee considered an application for a large indoor equestrian centre on a pig farm at High Moor Farm, New Road, Hessay, for farmer Dennis Musgrave.

There is currently a small riding stables on the site, but the applicant wanted to diversify and build the large indoor centre as a new business.

The indoor centre had been deemed inappropriate for the Green Belt site by officers, but it was suggested there may be very special circumstances. "It is not easy as we are developing the A59 left and right, and I would have thought this was a particularly acceptable thing to do in this area," said Coun Quentin MacDonald.

But Coun David Horton said: "It is quite simple, there are no very special circumstances for this, and what is planned is an indoor centre rather than an outdoor activity which could be acceptable on a Green Belt site."

The site is on the edge of the Green Belt area, being bordered by other large buildings and a railway line.

"There will always be an edge where ever you have a Green Belt, and there will be building on the other side of it, that in itself is not a reason to build on the Green Belt," said Coun Ann Reid.

Committee chairwoman Coun Janet Hopton said: "We are very sympathetic but I don't think special circumstances have been proven. I don't think there is one of these in the district, but it could be built anywhere it doesn't need to be here, this would just be eating up more of the Green Belt."

The councillors were tied voting four for and four against the proposal with one abstention, and Coun Hopton used her casting vote against the plan.

Updated: 10:37 Friday, October 17, 2003