Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have submitted a planning application to Westmorland and Furness Council to convert a 40m by 20m section of farmland at North View, Burrells, near Appleby-in-Westmorland, into a private horse riding arena. The arena would be used solely by the applicants for their three horses and would not involve commercial activity or additional traffic. No external lighting is planned, and the horses currently graze and are ridden on the land.

The primary benefit cited is providing a safe, all-year-round exercise space for the horses, particularly during winter and wet conditions when the ground becomes unsafe and riding on roads increases risks. The application argues that the change of use is minor and should not significantly impact the area, with no changes to parking or access. The public consultation on the proposal is open until December 28.