Lambourn horses beat the construction business as asphalt plant is kicked out

A huge asphalt plant planned near Membury services has been canned by West Berkshire Council - because of fears it might damage the Lambourn racehorse industry.

The 'perception being a reality' concept that the plant 'might' damage horse health and scare off the race trainers, thus threatening the £22m equine industry, won the day.

Objectors from Lambourn training yards said the lifeblood of the industry, one of the biggest in the district, would be threatened even by a 'whiff' of poor air quality affecting the respiratory health and performance of top level racehorses.

Council officers argued there was not any evidence to say asphalt production would be harmful to horses, claiming the M4 traffic would have a greater impact on air quality. It also admitted it had no air quality standards for animals - just for humans.

The plant was to produce up to 25,000 tonnes a year - and hire around five people - compared to more than a thousand employed in the horse businesses in the district.

Objectors in the packed council chamber included representatives of the equine industry.

Lucy Snowdon - on behalf of the Lambourn Trainers Association - said: "Our voice has been ignored in this. Our industry contributed over £22m per year and is responsible for one in three jobs in the area. 850 horses trained here.

"Our reputation is everything and a threat to respiratory health could lead to trainers withdrawing from the area. Racehorses are particularly vulnerable to respiratory changes."

Some of the yards are less than a mile from the proposed location of the plant.

"This represents a serious threat - this is the Valley of the Racehorse, and has 50 yards employing 750 people, plus all the support services, contributes millions of pounds a year to the area," said councillor Bridget Jones of Lambourn and Baydon Parish Council.

She referred to the Whitewall Quarry precedent in Yorkshire, where 'perception of harm' was the reason for an asphalt plant near the Malton training area being refused.

The 'perceived threat', she said, could lead to racehorse owners moving away from Lambourn.

Representations from the public were received, with 177 in support, and 223 objecting.

Supporters say Lambourn has always been heavily involved with asphalt and a lot of people work in the industry locally.

Keith Fryer, a builders merchant based at Membury, showed strong support, saying the proposal 'positively contributed' to sustainable development and economic development, and it will 'support the construction industry'.

Howard Woollaston, Conservative ward member for Lambourn, said the plant applicant was using 'salami tactics' by saying only nine percent capacity use is planned, and may well come back with another application to expand operations.

"Why would someone who wants a one bed flat buy a nine bedroom house?" he asked, also questioning if the plant in Membury was needed if there was already two larger plants 20 minutes away at Cricklade and Theale.

The decision to refuse was taken after a two and a half hour meeting tonight (Wednesday).