Highland riding group hopes to build new school in Kirkhill
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The Highland Group Riding for Disabled Association (RDA) has applied to build a new school for its members.
A planning application has been submitted to Highland Council by the charity to build the facility on land north-west of Easter Moniack Farm Cottage.
It is hoped it will be a centre of excellence for the Highland and Grampian regions and Robin Pape, the chairman of the group’s trustees, said: “We started talking about it seven or eight years ago but it was put on a back burner for various reasons.”
He considered now was an opportune moment to progress with the plans, adding: “As far as I am aware we have ticked all the boxes we have talked to all the relevant people.”
Mr Pape said if they were successful, work could start on the project this month.
Plans include stables, a reception area, an outdoor riding arena, indoor riding school and associated facilities.
According to the design statement, which was submitted in support of the application, the centre would operate between 9am and 5pm, six days a week – with riding activities taking place between 10am and 4pm.
The statement added: “The proposal seeks full planning permission for the development of a riding centre specifically for the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).
“The RDA is a charitable organisation wholly dependent on donations. It provides therapy, fitness, skills development and opportunities for achievement for disabled children and adults.”
The charity no longer uses a site in Drumnadrochit and the latest proposal is seeking to provide a facility which will be available to children and adults from within the Highland area.
Proposed buildings would each be a single storey, the indoor arena and stabling facilities have been designed to be agricultural in style and proportion and the whole site would be landscaped.
According to the design statement, the remaining area of the site would provide grazing for the horses.
The site covers an area of agricultural land to the south-west of Kirkhill, to the south of the A862, and the field is bounded by trees.
Access is via a single track public road which serves the existing properties and farm.
