AN airfield near Woodcote is to close in the autumn. Dennis and Julie Pearson, who founded Chiltern Park Aerodrome, off Icknield Road, in 1988, have been told t.
Oh boy, I did high jump );
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A TEENAGE boy with autism has achieved his dream of jumping over a high fence on horseback.
James Preston, from Checkendon, successfully cleared a 1.67m hedge while taking part in a drag hunt at Kingsclere, near Newbury.
The 15-year-old was one of about 50 riders who tackled the course, which is owned by racehorse trainer Andrew Balding.
He beat his personal record set when he and his 11-year-old Irish sports horse Patrick jumped a 1m fence at the Chiltern Cross Country course in Woodcote.
The pair are being taught by experienced rider Amanda Stewart, who lives in Woodcote and befriended James as they both stable their horses at Frieze Farm in Sonning Common.
Horse jumps need consent
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THE owner of a new equestrian centre at Woodcote is seeking retrospective planning permission for three permanent jumps and a shallow earth mound.
Diana Rhodes, who opened Chiltern Cross Country, off Oxford Road, last month, already has planning permission for a car park and the use of mobile jumps on the 11-hectare site. However, she has reinforced some natural features like ridges and dips with logs or support beams and South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, says that this makes them permanent.
Ms Rhodes, who owns the land with her partner Guy Hildred, accepts the mound didn’t have consent but she thought neighbours would be in favour as it screens the site from view.
Equestrian centre jumps into new planning wrangle );
AN equestrian centre which recently opened near Woodcote is caught up in another planning battle.
Diana Rhodes set up Chiltern Cross Country on an 11-hectare field off Oxford Road, between the village and the A4074, after being granted planning permission in February last year.
The eventing course consists of about 80 moveable timber jumps with a permanent water obstacle designed to resemble a pond and a car park with associated offices.
South Oxfordshire District Council gave consent despite opposition from Woodcote Parish Council and nine neighbours who were concerned about the impact on the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.