PLANS to extend a riding school will dump further problems on top of the existing danger of horse muck on footways, parish councillors were warned.
The owners of Grove Farm Cottage, in Station Road, Waltham, wish to build 11 new stables and convert a barn into a home and office.
But Waltham parish councillors deferred making a decision because they want to conduct a site visit.
Vice-chairman Peter Woodliff said: "Horse muck is a problem to us. Adding 11 more horses will just add to the problem.
"It is a big extension of the site. It is next to the biggest school in the borough.
"Over the last six months we have had nothing but complaints about the amount of horse muck."
As previously reported, councillors highlighted dangers for cyclists using a cycle lane on Station Road, which is also used by horse riders.
The mess left by horses could cause cyclists to be thrown off course, they warned.
Of the riding school plan, Councillor Paul Teanby said: "They are trying to turn it into an equestrian centre.
"We have to support local businesses. That is employment for the area.
"You can't just say there are 11 more horses adding more horse poo and reject it."
He called on North East Lincolnshire Council planners to defer making a decision, scheduled for later this week , until after parish councillors had a chance to hold a site visit.
He said: "We never have time to do site visits but I would not like to turn it down."
Councillors also objected to the narrow entrance on the plan, which would make access for vehicles with horse boxes difficult.
The chairman of the parish council, Councillor Martin Archer, declared an interest in the application and left the meeting before the debate. He inadvertently locked himself out of the adjoining room and was left out in the cold until fellow councillors came to a decision.
As he walked in, he declared: "One thing about a fire door is you can't get back in!"
The applicant was unavailable for comment.
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