THE owners of a riding school have won a battle with planners to keep four floodlights they say are key to their business.

William and Marjorie Fife opened the school at White Thorn Farm, in Stillington, near Easingwold, in 2003.

Hambleton District Council had granted planning permission for them to build an exercise area at the back of the farm, but the floodlights were not part of the application.

In July last year, the council sent the Fifes an enforcement notice ordering them to remove the floodlights within 28 days. The Fifes submitted a retrospective planning application and appealed against the enforcement notice.

The council refused permission, saying the lights were detrimental to the appearance of the area, but their appeal has been upheld by planning inspector Martin Joyce, who granted planning permission.

He said the exercise area was in a relatively well-screened location and that the area was already overshadowed by a 17 metre electricity pylon.

He said: "This pylon and its associated overhead lines dominates the immediate area and as a consequence, the floodlights and their supporting poles have a very limited impact.

"My conclusion on this issue is that the retention of the poles and floodlights would not cause material harm to either the character or the appearance of the surrounding part of the special landscape area."

He said that the lights should only be used from 3.30pm to 8pm Monday to Friday and 3.30pm to 6pm on Saturdays.

Mrs Fife said: "I am pleased because this has dragged on. Kids need to ride after school and that wouldn't be possible in winter without the lights.

"They want farmers to diversify and when they do diversify, they put obstacles in the way."