Horse breeder wins appeal over timber chalet

A horse breeder has won an appeal to the High Court against an order requiring her to remove a timber chalet used to provide facilities for workers on her stud farm.

The chalet on Renata Coleman's 190-acre farm at Clonmannon, Ashford, Co Wicklow, does not require planning permission because it is clearly an exempt development as it is used for an agricultural-related activity, the High Court ruled.

Ms Coleman had appealed a Circuit Court order directing her to remove the chalet after Wicklow County Council brought enforcement proceedings arising out of inspections which took place in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

In an affidavit, an inspector said he saw the chalet furnished on each of his visits.

During his last visit on July 13th, 2011, he saw it was still furnished with an armchair, sofa, kitchen table, chairs, sideboard, heater, plus foodstuffs and crockery.

He also saw a rolled-up duvet and other bed clothing on the sofa.

Ms Coleman said the chalet was used to provide basic facilities for her staff when they are supervising and monitoring the horses which she breeds at Clonmannon.