A plan to build a horse training area and stables in land behind a house in a village near Royal Wootton Bassett is under starter’s orders after councillors approved the scheme.

The Barnett family, who live in Barnes Green in Brinkworth, will be able to build a the training arena, called a manege, and a stable for up to four horses on a field behind their house after approval by Wiltshire Council’s planning committee.

Approval was granted despite opposition by Brinkworth Parish Council and a number of neighbours who particularly were concerned about light pollution from floodlights to the manege.

They were also concerned that the site could be used for the commercial training of horses despite assurances that the family wanted to use it for their own enjoyment only.

A number of conditions were attached to the permission, including one which says the use must be private, and no external lighting can be put up before a plan for where it will be sited is approved.

The Barnes family must also submit a plan for planting of trees grassland elsewhere on their land to make up for the habitats to be lost in the development.