Construction has been halted on the World Dressage Complex in Wellington, Florida due to “construction and operation without a permit.”

It seems the builders neglected to obtain a permit from the South Florida Water Management District, and as such, are in violation of Sections 373.413 and 373.416 of the Florida Statues and Section 40E-4.041 of the Florida Administrative Code, which oversees construction of stormwater management systems, dams, impoundments or reservoirs.

The Environmental Resource Compliance Bureau of the South Florida Water Management District has stopped all work on the Complex until proper authorization is granted. Further, the District is seeking civil penalties and recovery of staff investigative costs, and may require restoration of the site.

“We thank the South Florida Water Management District for pinpointing the violation and stopping construction immediately. Unfortunately, this is what happens when you have a developer with a history of building first and getting approval second,” said Mat Forrest, Executive Director for the Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance. “This is why the voters of Wellington wanted new leadership. They don’t want developers having free reign to do as they please in the Village.”