The Beaufort Hunt has announced a new location for its annual New Year's Day hunt.

A spokesman for the Beaufort Hunt has confirmed an alternative site had been found and it will now be meeting at the Great Tythe Barn in Tetbury on New Year's Day.

The news comes just a week after councillors at Tetbury Town Council voted not to grant the hunt consent to continue meeting at the Old Railway Yard over safety fears.

The decision came after local resident Chris Giles raised the issue of the risk assessment with the council earlier in the year after he encountered numerous horses and a speeding quad-bike from the hunt on the old railway track last New Year’s Day.

When the council, which manages the site along with the Feoffees, explained its decision to not grant the hunt consent, it did indicate that it would work with the hunt to find a suitable alternative site in the town.

“The decision to refuse consent was made on the grounds that the hunt’s second risk assessment did not fully address concerns over the narrow site and contact between riders and hounds with the general public, including families with small children and pushchairs,” a spokesman for Tetbury Town Council said.

“Whereas the rail lands were previously rough open ground, they have recently been developed into attractive parkland with the Goods Shed Arts Centre as a focus for community activity.

“As a result of that development, the nature of the site on which the hunt meets has changed, although the hunt activity has not.

“In addition, the council was conscious of the reputational damage associated with public protests and the risk of disorder.

“It was also aware of the National Trust’s experience of reputational damage following its decision to allow a hunt to meet on one of its properties.”

“The town council will now work with the Beaufort Hunt to allow the cheque presentation to Tetbury Hospital to continue on a suitable alternative site in Tetbury.

Traditionally, the hunt meets in Tetbury on the first Monday after Christmas, partly in order to present a cheque to Tetbury Hospital.