Cardiff Riding School: Council meeting halts over protest

Supporters of a riding school have protested outside a Cardiff council meeting after it was revealed that it could close.

The council halted its full meeting for 15 minutes to meet the protesters.

Thirty workers were apparently told on Wednesday that the 30-acre site in Pontcanna Fields would shut by 1 April.

Cardiff council declined to comment on the future of the school ahead of the meeting of the full council on Thursday.

However, further details are expected to emerge, as the council puts forward its proposed budget for the coming year later in the meeting.

Councillors voted to suspend the sitting of the full council meeting for 15 minutes after being addressed by the leader of the Plaid Cymru group on the council, Neil McEvoy.

"I want councillors imposing this decision to actually go outside and meet the people who this decision will affect," he asked.

He also said that supporters would hold a public meeting over the riding school in coming days, and would consider calling for a local referendum on the issue.

The Fairwater councillor warned: "We will be discussing a local referendum which will cost you guys roughly 20 grand (£20,000)."

The 43-year-old council-run school has 50 horses, and one member of staff feared many would have to be put down if they cannot be re-homed.