A horse riding stables is back in business after winning a David and Goliath battle with Thurrock Council.

Green Trees Farm in Old Hill Avenue, Laindon, had its business on hold after the council issued an enforcement notice earlier in the year.

This notice has now been overturned after a public inquiry was held, it has been revealed.

The news comes after the stables was threatened with closure in August of this year as neighbours felt their business was a nuisance.

The farm, a stables and a cattle farm has been working for more than 30 years and was faced with the notice from the council after it was alleged it had some unauthorised development on the site.

This notice has now been overturned after council officers approved the plans for the livery yard to stay put.

Owners of the farm Chris and Jean Coe are relieved at the news and the notice served on them earlier in the year restricted their business considerably.

Mr Coe said: "We are very relieved as we have been under threat for a long time. We are glad the enforcement notice was overturned and we are glad to say we are in business. We have been in limbo for a long time.

"We will now work as a livery yard as well as a cattle farm which is good news as the liveries were under threat of being chucked out. If we had not been given permission, we would have lost most of our income."

In August, when Thurrock's development control committee finally refused permission, chairman Tim McMahon said: "It was the site meeting which convinced me and most members that the nuisance caused by the unauthorised use was enough to turn down this application."

Thurrock Council says it is unaware of a decision being made and was unable to comment.

Published Friday December 28, 2001