A PETITION to prevent planning being granted to the new owners of the Mobberley Riding School site has gained more than 1,000 signatures.

Mobberley Riding School announced its unexpected closure at the end of March, causing confusion and disappointment among students, parents and residents of the village.

Shortly after the announcement, the Guardian reported that the land had been bought by religious group the Plymouth Brethren Christian Group, which is planning to open a meeting centre on the site.

The petition, which has been designed to prevent these plans, says: “There is already a Plymouth Brethren Church only five miles away from this site, therefore I feel building another would be unnecessary. Developing this site is completely out of character for Mobberley and will ruin our rural countryside.

“As well as spoiling the countryside, it is stated that they can hold up to three meetings a day for hundreds of people.

"Can Newton Hall Lane and surrounding roads cope with this amount of traffic? It is going to cause congested roads and excess pollution in our village.”

Mobberley Riding School, which employed more than 20 staff, has operated for decades out of the 60-acre site.

It finally closed for business on Sunday, April 17.

Liane Prescott, from Wincham, wrote: “I have taught at the riding school for over 24 years and it has been important to the community and so many people and animals alike.

"I don’t feel it would be of benefit to the community or to wildlife including the resident bats and owl which have made the school their home.”

Elaine Wray, from Smallwood, said: “This was a thriving business, much needed in the countryside, providing both jobs and recreation."

“Riding schools need to be in the countryside for the sake of the horses and because certain members of the public would complain if they tried setting up near estates so we shouldn’t lose this amenity.”

To sign the petition visit the link here