PLANS for an indoor equestrian centre in Test Valley have been delayed, it has been revealed.

A planning application was submitted to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to build the arena on land at Oak Tree Farm, Foxes Lane, West Wellow.

The plans, submitted by Blackwater Equestrian, would see 13 car parking spaces being built on the site.

A decision on the application was due to be made on Monday, May 25, but has now been pushed back.

This comes after critics of the plans claimed the building would tower over the area and resemble an “industrial estate”.

Others believed it would increase the risk of flooding if given the green light by civic chiefs.

However, one of the owners of Blackwater Equestrian, Mark Hallion, claimed the “last thing they want” is for the arena to look like an industrial estate, ensuring residents they will only see a “green roof” to reflect the area.

Julie Cooper, who lives in The Drove, said: “We have so much traffic using the lane, including vehicles going to the existing covered indoor horse arena at Foxhills Equestrian up the road.

“We are concerned that if this application goes ahead, we will experience more severe flooding in the future."

She added the flood water also "contributes to the degradation of the road”.

Criticising the size of the building, Philip Stenner, who lives in Buttons Lane, said it would be “massive and more akin to a warehouse on an industrial estate than in a country lane”.

He added: "“This winter there have been issues with flooding in Foxes Lane close to this site; if this application goes ahead it is likely to cause more run off into the pond and onto the lane.

“This could potentially flood Hatches Farm on the opposite side of the lane which is lower lying.”

As previously reported in the Romsey Advertiser, Mr Hallion said the "last thing we want is for it to look like an industrial estate", adding "it will be level and there will be a grass bank around it, so the only thing people will see is a green roof".

The 56-year-old also highlighted part of the plans will address flooding concerns with an “improved drainage system”, where water will “only be released gradually back into the ground”.

“We have also offered to dig out the whole pond and tidy up the area,” Mr Hallion added.

TVBC has been contacted for comment.