Plans for stables in Quarter have been approved by South Lanarkshire Council

Nov 12 2009 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

CONTROVERSIAL plans for two new stable blocks at a Quarter equestrian centre were last week approved by councillors.

Ross Dhu Equestrian Centre currently has six stables, each catering for two horses, at their Sunnyside Road premises.

The additional stables will allow the centre to accommodate four more horses.

Seven letters of objection were lodged with planners over Morag Higgins’ proposal for the new stable blocks, field centre and client facilities chalet.

Objectors had been unhappy about the erection of the chalet part of the scheme without planning permission.

But planning chief Colin McDowall told councillors that while development undertaken without consent was “not ideal”, it should not influence the determination of the application.

The objectors also believed that the chalet operations would disturb neighbouring properties and questioned if Sunnyside Road, which serves the centre and surrounding properties, could accommodate an increase in activity.

Objectors also felt that the track to the stables could not cope with an increase in traffic caused by the chalet.

However, Mr McDowall dismissed residents’ concerns.

“The client facilities chalet is not a residential dwelling,” he said.

“The chalet will be ancillary to the equestrian operation and will provide toilet and eating facilities for staff and clients wishing to spend the day with their horse.

“On this basis I am satisfied that the scale of the proposal is such that the level of additional traffic generated will not be significant and that the access track can satisfactorily accommodate the development.

One objector had claimed that effluent from the existing facility runs through the track which neighbours have to drive through.

Mr McDowall pointed out, however, he had asked the council’s environmental health department to look into the matter.

His report to the committee concluded: “Whilst a number of letters of objection have been received in relation to this application, I am satisfied that all points raised in the letters of representation have been fully considered and none of the issues which have been raised justify refusal of this application.”