Geri Halliwell has officially cleared the final hurdle in a bitter neighbourhood dispute, with her controversial plans to build a £30,000 horse walker now given the green light.
The former Spice Girls star, 53, and her husband, ex-F1 boss Christian Horner, 52, had faced strong opposition over the proposed 77-foot structure near their Oxfordshire estate — but local authorities have now ruled in their favour.
The couple, who run a horse racing business complete with 14 stables and a full-time trainer, argued the installation was essential for the wellbeing and fitness of their horses. The horse walker, a circular mechanical system, allows animals to exercise safely and consistently — regardless of weather conditions.
Despite their reasoning, the plans sparked outrage among neighbours, with multiple objections submitted to the council. Residents raised concerns about the building’s height, its visual impact on the countryside, and fears over additional lighting disrupting the rural setting.
One neighbour complained that the structure would be “extremely prominent” and visible from surrounding homes and even public roads, warning it could dramatically alter the character of the conservation area. Others slammed the proposed lighting as excessive, insisting the area should remain unlit outside normal hours.
However, the council ultimately sided with Geri and Christian — approving the project under strict conditions. Officials stated the structure must only be used for private equestrian purposes, with no commercial activities such as riding lessons or competitions permitted.
In their decision, planners acknowledged the building’s size but concluded its functional design suited the rural environment and would not harm the surrounding landscape. They also noted the couple’s proposal to plant 12 trees to screen the structure, helping it blend into the countryside over time.
Further approval is still required for the lighting details, but authorities insisted the distance from neighbouring properties should prevent major disruption.
The victory marks just the latest chapter in an ongoing series of planning disputes between the high-profile couple and their neighbours. In recent years, they have also secured retrospective approval for a pergola built without permission and pushed through plans for a second swimming pool — both of which had previously triggered backlash.
For Geri and Christian, the decision represents another hard-fought win — but for some locals, the battle over their ever-expanding estate may be far from over.
