Russells Equestrian Centre faces challenges as council plans new use for land
Southampton: So, there’s this equestrian centre that’s been around for 50 years. It’s been at Itchen Valley Country Park for the last decade, using a nice 7.5-acre spot for grazing horses. But now, things are getting a bit shaky.
They not only teach horse riding but also help rescue and rehabilitate horses. Sounds great, right? But just before Christmas, the council dropped a bombshell. They gave the centre a five-month notice that they’re planning to let some alpacas graze on the same land.
Amanda Winstone, who’s part of the Epona Trust that works with rescued horses, is really worried. She feels like the council is pitting two businesses against each other. The equestrian centre does a lot for the community, especially for kids with learning difficulties who love spending time with the horses.
But here’s the kicker: the riding school needs enough grazing land to operate. If they can’t find a new spot, they might have to shut down. And with so many green spaces being turned into housing, options are slim.
They’ve only heard from the council once about this change, and that’s super frustrating. Since the news broke, an online petition has gathered over 1,100 signatures to support the equestrian centre.
The council, on the other hand, says they’re moving forward with the alpacas for the park’s upkeep and community benefits. They claim they’ve been giving the equestrian centre a month-to-month grazing license for years, with no guarantee for the future.
They did mention they’re still looking for alternative grazing options for the equestrian centre, but it’s a tough spot for everyone involved.
