Hospital for horses set to be approved

The hospital and training centre for horses has been earmarked for a site at Askham Bryan College, and would see seven single-storey buildings created.

A planning application has been submitted by Minster Veterinary Practice which is due to go before a planning committee meeting of York Council on Thursday.

Concerns have been expressed by residents over the impact the development would have on traffic safety, with motorists expected to try overtaking slow-moving horse boxes being taken to the site.

But planning officers have recommended the application should be approved, despite the proposals going against national guidelines for development on green belt land, because the project is deemed to fall within the remit of “very special circumstances” which allow development on green belt.

Planning officials have claimed a combination of factors means the application should be approved and say the development would enhance York’s reputation as a centre for world class educational facilities.

They also insist the development would be sympathetic to the surrounding area. They admitted the facility has to be located in an open space, which “almost inevitably” means a green belt site in York.

Askham Bryan College has a long-standing association with Minster Veterinary Practice dating back to the early 1950s, and the new development is aimed at boosting the training opportunities in veterinary nursing and equine studies.

A total of 4,700 students enrolled at the college in 2009/2010. The hospital and training centre is expected to lead to a 10 per cent rise in students on all equine-related courses.