Bid to restore stables to its former glory
Planning permission is granted to establish three new training yards
A PROJECT to restore Linkslade Stables in Lambourn to its former glory has been granted planning permission.
The proposals include converting the one existing equine training yard into three at the Wantage Road facility.
An online public consultation, which was viewed by around 250 villagers, prompted little public reaction.
However, some residents wrote to planners to express concern.
One of them, Seamus O’Neill, said: “We support yard upgrades and new stables/yards, however they need to be in proportion and balanced within the existing neighbouring community and not infringe on the current privacy of the residents.
“The outline design appears an over development of the land area that will have a major effect on the neighbouring residents, the local environment, in particular the drainage of the surrounding area.
“It is not in keeping with
the West Berkshire [Council] policy to be carbon neutral by 2030.”
Susan and Timothy Baker wrote: “Adding more properties and stables will worsen the already overstretched services [and] the water springs come up during winter which cause trouble with our septic tanks and drainage.
“What’s more it is becoming very dangerous pulling out onto that road and will be even more so with this extra planning.
“Obviously it would need a restriction on the dwellings that should be tied to the respective yards so that no further dwelling applications could be applied for in the future.”
According to a design and access statement: “Linkslade Stables Property Ltd aim to deliver three yards at Linkslade Stables that will help to meet the demand for modern, purpose-built equestrian facilities within the Valley of the Racehorse.
“The hope is to deliver three quality yards of different sizes to attract both established and emerging training talents to the site. The ultimate vision is to return Linkslade Stables to its former prominence.”
It adds: “The comments noted that the retention of the yard in its current use was welcome, as was the varied sized yards.”
It did, however, acknowledge that some concern was raised regarding “the limited number of accommodation units on site which may increase traffic and put further pressure on housing needs”.
The matters of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale will be considered as a reserve matters planning application in future.