‘Eyesore’ row over centre for horses bid

PLANS FOR a horse rescue charity on a remote farm on the North York Moors are being recommended for approval, despite objections from some locals, who say it is an eyesore.

But supporters say those running the charity in Silpho, near Scarborough, are a “credit to human kindness” and a lifeline for abused or unwanted ponies, that could otherwise end up being slaughtered in Ireland or France for meat.

The charity, All For Horses, is applying retrospectively for change of use for agricultural buildings at Silpho Brow Farm West to stable horses and to keep a caravan and portacabin for workers.

The application sparked half a dozen objections as well as from the parish council, which said the proposals were an “over-intensification”. One objector said it looked more like a “scrapyard than an area of natural beauty”.

However officers at North York Moors National Park Authority, where the plans are due to be discussed on Thursday, are recommending approval, with 21 conditions. They conclude that the facility “represents a suitable reuse of these modern farm buildings.”

The charity bought the farm in 2015. Trustee Cathy Edwards said: “We’re the only charity in North Yorkshire that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes horses and ponies. It’s very difficult to rehome ponies – we have one old girl, Alice, who has very severe

behavioural issues. Who wants to spend time fixing a 19-year-old when you can get a four-year-old with a clean slate, at auction for as low as £30?

“People take on horses and maybe they are not as experienced as they think they are or sometimes peoples’ circumstances change. They maybe have had a death in the family or health issues. There are just too many horses out there. People are breeding and breeding them.”

Miss Edwards said she hoped that as well as rescuing horses they can in future help educate people about how best to care for and train horses.