A FARM owner wants to cover his outdoor riding arena from the weather.

Toby Whitaker wants to create an indoor 'menage' for horses at Fielding Farm in Dean Lane Great Harwood.

The covered arena will be the same size as the existing area.

Mr Whittaker of White Hill in Back Lane, Read, has applied for planning permission for the development from Hyndburn Council.

A supporting statement from Zara Moon Architects of Mitton Road Business Park in Whalley, says: "Fieldings Farm is located within the small hamlet of properties on Whalley Banks, to the immediate south of Whalley village, and accessed from Dean Lane.

"The property consists of a detached farmhouse; a detached converted barn; a series of out-buildings; an outdoor riding menage; and 10 acres of grazing land.

"The property is accessed between the barn and the out-buildings which provides access to the driveway at the rear of the house; and access to the two out-buildings and menage to the north.

"Dean Lane terminates at Fieldings Farm with no through-route for vehicles.

"A public bridleway continues northwards past the site and connects back to Moor Lane.

"The menage is bounded by a timber post and rail fence, with floodlights around the perimeter.

"As the current menage is external, the usability is limited due to the weather, the proposal therefore includes enclosing the riding menage to create an indoor riding menage suitable for all-weather riding.

"The menage would be used for personal use only.

"The proposed structure would enclose the menage, without extending further than the current footprint.

"The proposed materiality includes a natural random stonework plinth to match Fieldings Farm and the surrounding neighbouring properties, and high quality natural timber cladding.

"Two sliding timber barn doors will be located to each gable to provide access; and the roof will be dark grey zinc.

"The profile of the site and existing hollow of the land allow the proposed structure to sit deep within the site.

"The existing tree coverage along the public right of way and profile of the site allows the proposed structure to be significantly screened.

"The existing menage currently includes four floodlights around the perimeter, which rise to a significant height. The proposal will remove these existing floodlights which currently create light-spill into the open countryside.

"The proposal has been sensitively designed to respond to the rural site. "