THE owners of a riding school will learn today if they will be permitted to keep four floodlights they say are essential for their business.

William and Marjorie Fife, who own the school at Whitethorn Farm, in Stillington, near Easingwold, believe losing the floodlights could force the business to close.

The school opened last year after the couple won planning permission for change of use of the farm, in Easingwold Road.

The farm already had a manege at the front of the property and under the plans, four floodlights would have been built to illuminate the area.

But Mr and Mrs Fife agreed to remove the floodlighting from the plans to avoid causing problems on the road and with neighbouring properties.

Following discussions with the council, they also agreed to move the manege to the back of the property.

Permission was granted, but the floodlights were still erected.

The Fife's architectural agent, Chris Dent, said: "Following the granting of approval with the manege at the area away from neighbours and road, the appellant in error thought the floodlights could be installed without further contact with the authority."

Last month, they were issued with an enforcement notice by Hambleton District Council, ordering them to remove the floodlights.

They have appealed against the notice and have submitted a retrospective planning application.

A decision on the application was expected to be made by the council last night, but planning officer Tim Wood said it had been recommended for refusal because the lights would be detrimental to the appearance and character of the area.

"They have not proven any special circumstances to overturn the reasons for the local plan policies, therefore it has been recommended for refusal," he said.

But Mrs Fife said that if the application was refused and the appeal was unsuccessful, it could mean the end for the riding school.

"If permission is refused, we are absolutely snookered - we haven't got a business," she said.

"They gave planning permission to teach until eight o'clock at night, but without floodlights, that would be very dangerous in winter."