MUSLEY Bank Stables, in Malton, one of the country’s leading racehorse centres, has been given the go-ahead to build a new complex at its headquarters at Musley Bank on the outskirts of the town.

Leading trainer Richard Fahey was given permission by Ryedale District Council’s planning committee to build new stables and a horse treadmill building, together with a ramp, toilets and portable office building.

Councillors were told that part of the development had already been built. “The proposed development is an expansion of a well-established racehorse training yard, said planning officer, Alan Hunter in a report.

He said one of the main issues was the construction of the buildings and their impact on the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The treadmill is to be located between the new stables and existing stables. The site is in an environmentally sensitive area, said Mr Hunter, but the racing centre employs 70 staff and the training yard is nationally recognised.

Mr Fahey has been asked to send the district council a plan for dealing with manure from the stables because of the potential disturbance and loss of amenity to neighbouring residents.

Huttons Ambo Parish Council had objected to the scheme because of the removal of trees, burning of waste and refuse collection and vehicle access to the site.