HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF HORSE RIDING IN COOKHAM?

Cookham has in the past had a thriving horse riding group and horses have been part of the rural scene in the village. We would like to retain this element of our village community.

The Society fought very hard to prevent Woodlands Farm, with its livery and small offices, from being converted to executive housing. Unfortunately the Borough Planning Panel did not accept our arguments and permission for redevelopment was given.

Cannons Court Farm was also converted from livery to housing. In planning terms this was seen somewhat differently. Because corrugated iron buildings were removed and substantial, old brick buildings retained and converted to housing there were planning gains.

At Lower Mount Farm we supported the change of use of the large field to the south of Long Lane from “agricultural” to “the keeping of horses”. We did however make it very clear that if any stables were required we would expect redundant farm buildings to be used rather than any new buildings put up. Happily the recent application for buildings has been turned down by the Panel.

Where there is no formal Right of Way bridle paths use of off road bridle routes is entirely dependent on the agreement of the land owner .The recent changes in the management of some Cookham farmland has unfortunately led to the loss of some informal routes. We did present an alternative proposal to the hard surfacing on the Pig Track (Bridleway 19) but the Borough would not adopt it.

We try to help when we can but the fundamental problem is economic. Landowners can make more money out of redundant farm buildings by converting them to housing or commercial use rather than they can from running a livery.

On the brighter side, we could hope for White Place Farm to return to livery after a sale; or even Grove Farm could be converted to livery!
If you want to help us protecting and improving Cookham for horse riders and others we would welcome applications to join the committee!