after planning rejection A riding school at Cumnor is in danger of closing after failing to win planning permission for a new indoor winter arena.

Council planners say it is a commercial development and would violate the Oxford green belt.

But Carole Guy, the owner of the school at Upper Whitley Farm in Leys Road, Cumnor, says the decision could force her to close. She plans to launch an appeal.

Miss Guy wants to build a new open-sided, covered arena so children and disabled riders can have lessons in the winter.

She says the building would be no bigger than a similar structure nearby used for agricultural purposes. Under green belt guidelines the proposed building could be justified only under "very special circumstances." Vale of White Horse district council planners ruled that the proposal did not meet this definition.

The chairman of the development control committee, John Woodford, said the building was not acceptable because of its size. He said it would harm the character and appearance of the green belt and the North Vale area of high landscape value.

Miss Guy said the parish council and local residents supported the project. She said that between 200 and 250 riders a week used the school during the summer, many of whom came from Oxford and surrounding areas.

"The riding school is full and so there would be no extra traffic generated in the area," she said. "Green belt areas can be used to provide opportunities for access to the countryside and this would encourage people from the city and countryside to come here.

"By providing an arena with a roof, safer conditions in bad weather are created. Riders would be able to ride safely in the summer and winter and horses could exercise in bad weather without harming verges and bridle- ways."

Miss Guy said the whole project could cost up to £50,000 with local investors preparing to back the project. She employs three instructors and four other staff, but is now worried about the future of the school. "The surface of the present outdoor arena is becoming unsafe." she said. "It could cost us up to £20,000 to establish a new outdoor surface but I have no backing for that.

"We understand the need to protect the green belt. This scheme would not harm it -- it would enhance the views, not detract from them.

"Unless we can go ahead with our new project the school is highly likely to go under at the end of summer.

"That would be tragedy for us and the many people who come here."