Herefordshire Council has granted planning permission for the erection of a replacement stables building at Ellbrook House in Woodend Lane, Linton.

The application, submitted by Mr and Mrs Watkins in August 2026, received official approval on September 29, 2026, subject to specific planning conditions designed to protect local wildlife and rural amenity.

Under the terms set out by Development Manager Simon Withers, the approved stables are strictly restricted to private use to accommodate the applicants' own horses. Commercial operations, including riding, breeding, or training enterprises, are explicitly prohibited to safeguard the character of the surrounding area.

To enhance local biodiversity, the planning permission mandates the installation of at least two bird nest features and two bat roost features on the property before the stables can be used. Furthermore, strict lighting controls have been imposed to preserve the dark landscape, requiring any external lights to be low-wattage, downward-pointing LED fixtures fitted with motion sensors.

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Work on the replacement structure must commence within three years of the permission date, ensuring compliance with Herefordshire’s Local Plan Core Strategy and national planning frameworks.