A BID to make a stables in Durrington an Asset of Community Value have been turned down by Wiltshire Council.

This designation would have given the community the right to band together for up to six months to try and buy the land at Manor Park Paddocks and Stables, found between Hackthorne Road and Netheravon Road, should it be listed for sale.

But the application has now been rejected by Wiltshire Council.

In the decision notice, the council said it does not meet the criteria for listing as an Asset of Community Value.

It reads: “Access to the stable has been limited to a select group of individuals, specifically, those in the village who own horses and are able to secure grazing and stabling licenses from the landowner.

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“This restricted and selective use does not demonstrate a principal, non-ancillary community function that furthers the broader social wellbeing or interests of the local community, as required under Section 88 of the Localism Act 2011.”

It added: “It is therefore considered that the current use of the building or other land (or use of the building or other land in the recent past), that is not an ancillary use, does not further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community and it is not realistic to think that now or in the next five years there could be non-ancillary use of the building or other land which will further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.”

In the nomination form signed by 40 residents, they said despite the “bountiful” number of bridleways in the area, there are few stabling options for residents not in the military.

“Manor Park Paddocks and Stables offers the only stabling in Durrington village, and realistically the only viable option in the immediate vicinity,” the form said.

It added: “Local residents have often sought alternative less convenient stabling to provide certainty, although the stables remain a viable concern with four tenants currently in place from Durrington and neighbouring villages even on short-term notice contracts.”

View the decision notice in full here.

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