Northampton riding school says it may have to close

A horse riding school in Northampton said it may be "forced to close" if it loses access to fields owned by the borough council.

Councillors are meeting on 11 July to look at changing the lease on land off Eagle Drive in Delapre which is used by All Work Equestrian.

Officers have recommended that the Conservative-run authority lease the land to one of the local sports teams.

But Lucy Clifton, from the school, said it could mean the end of the business.

She said: "We were told that our licence was not going to be renewed because the council wants to put a football and rugby pitch here.

"We can't run the riding school business if we have nowhere to turn the horses out and nowhere to ride them."

Councillor David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said: "The cabinet is looking at how the borough council could help our local sporting teams in developing top class training facilities.

"This may also enable us to facilitate the creation of a new football facility to remember the life of a young Northampton footballer."

All Work Equestrian has been based on Home farm for more than 25 years. The school said it had been offered an alternative site but it was not suitable.