The ex-Spice Girl alongside her spouse have secured a planning win against local inhabitants at their multimillion-pound residence in Oxfordshire on the border with Northamptonshire close to Banbury.
Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner, who are married, have faced numerous disagreements with nearby homeowners concerning construction work on their estate.
The most recent disagreement involved plans for an automated exercise apparatus for horses at the riding facilities.
The pair run an equine racing enterprise under the OMBI banner and have erected extra accommodation for 14 horses at their Oxfordshire estate.
A specialist instructor is employed on a permanent basis at the complex, and every horse carries names inspired by Geri’s solo pop music releases.
Nevertheless, local residents voiced significant disapproval regarding the exercise apparatus plans on land adjacent to their main home, filing numerous objections with West Northamptonshire District Council.
Those against the scheme highlighted concerns about the structure’s elevation and aesthetic design, inadequate natural screening, illumination provisions, and no arrangements for repositioning stored equipment.
The pair live in a Grade II protected former rectory building.
Planning official Forrest Childs approved the scheme on Thursday, March 26.
In his ruling documentation, he declared that such initiatives in countryside locations may be permissible in principle when they bolster an existing rural business and do not cause unacceptable damage to the area’s character.
Mr Childs added that given the location already operates as a functioning equestrian business, and the proposed horse exercise apparatus represents a sensible and suitable enhancement to current operations, the development approach is deemed appropriate.
This represents the most recent among a string of planning disagreements between the pair and surrounding residents.
They were recently given consent to keep an outdoor shelter structure that had been erected without proper authorisation.
During the previous year, they also received approval to construct an extra swimming pool on the estate despite protests that it would harm the scenic views.
One anonymous local resident who challenged the horse exercise apparatus remarked that while they do not dispute the concept of a horse walker to assist the private use of the neighbouring riding facility and other horse-based pursuits, they are against the present plans.
A planning consultant representing Geri and Christian Horner indicated the structure will be largely concealed from sight once the new hedgerow reaches full maturity.
The applicant additionally referenced DEFRA regulations concerning equine welfare standards.
The planning consultant elaborated that the regulations stipulate that creatures must have the opportunity to move freely during exercise for a reasonable duration each day, and the horse walker will allow this criterion to be fulfilled.