A DREAM to build a family home in the middle of an equestrian centre looks likely to be dashed.

Anita and Derek Emerson, of the Seagold Centurian Equestrian Centre, at Hunwick, near Bishop Auckland, are hoping to build a four-bedroom house in the grounds of their thriving business.

The centre has gone from strength to strength since it opened five-years-ago.

It includes an arena, an outdoor exercise area, grooms' accommodation and cattery and kennels. Their proposed property, which would cost £150,000 to build, would house the family of four and visiting judges who officiate over the competitions which are organised at the centre.

But planning officials at Wear Valley District Council have recommended the plans are turned down by councillors at today's planning meeting in Crook Civic Centre.

They describe it as unusually large in relation to the business and want it reduced by a third.