TWO sites in Malton have been surveyed as to whether they could provide accommodation for young stable staff and a new office for Racing Welfare’s regional officers.

The sites, at Langton Road and Castlegate, have also been the subject of an architect’s report as the charity pushes on with its plans to provide a fitting memorial to two jockeys killed in a flats fire in Norton.

In the aftermath of the deaths of Jan Wilson and Jamie Kyne in a blaze at Buckrose Court in September 2009, Racing Welfare raised more than £140,000.

The charity then carried out a survey asking local residents how the money should be spent and confirmed some of the funds would be used to provide accommodation.

Richard Negus, Racing Welfare fundraising and communications executive, said: “The purpose is to provide accommodation for young stable staff, a new office for our regional welfare officers and a hub for the town’s racing community.

“The appraisal indicated that Castlegate would need to be developed with a partner due to its size and complexity and Langton Road offered a more simple solution.

“Racing Welfare is still determined to utilise the remaining money raised by the Malton Fire Appeal to help the area’s stable lads and lasses by providing quality, safe and affordable accommodation for those most in need, and to facilitate the suggestions, laid down by the local racing community, such as providing an equiciser to help to improve riding skills and to ease access for all racing staff to welfare officer support when required.”

Meanwhile, the charity has also looked into the possibility of working with the Injured Jockeys’ Fund on proposals to build a rehabilitation centre for jockeys in Malton.

Plans for the “House that Jack built”, pioneered by former racehorse trainer Jack Berry, are being pushed ahead – with an announcement on the likely site expected in the next few weeks.

The IJF has started selling bricks, which will be included in the construction of the gable ends, walls and pathways of the new development.

On the prospect of collaboration, Negus added: “This will only be possible if their chosen site is situated within easy access of the racing yards around the Norton area but I do know that the IJF has looked at the Castlegate site.

“The vast majority of potential residents in any Racing Welfare young people’s project are unlikely to own a car, and the working hours of most stable staff would preclude the use of public transport.

“Any project undertaken by Racing Welfare therefore will take into account that location is a vital factor if the building is to provide maximum benefit to the largest number of people. “Racing Welfare is still awaiting a decision from the IJF as to their preferred location and once this has been agreed, the two charities can start helping the racing community in the Malton area.”