A major redevelopment of the racing yard responsible for last northern-trained Derby winner, which could see 35 jobs created in a small rural market town, has been recommended for approval after overcoming heritage concerns.
image: Middleham Marketplace – By Joe Regan, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4089306
…Historic England said initially it had ‘considerable concerns on heritage grounds’…
Richmondshire Today writes:
Owner James Horton’s scheme to modernise and overhaul the racehorse training facilities at Manor House Farm, Middleham, will be considered by Richmondshire District Council on Tuesday, some 15 months after he bought the yard….
The proposals would see residential accommodation provided for some staff, replacement and new buildings and training areas, demolition of the former farmhouse, stables and modern agricultural buildings and the conversion of traditional outbuildings…..
In a document submitted alongside the application, a spokesman for Mr Horton said: “As with all sporting facilities as time moves on the facilities need to improve and one needs to keep pace with the national trends if the yard is to be successful in the sport and attract owners to keep Middleham on par with other training centres around the country.”…
Historic England said initially it had “considerable concerns on heritage grounds”, as the scheme did not take proper account of the setting of Middleham Conservation Area and the setting of nearby motte and bailey castle scheduled monument William’s Hill.
However, following issuing several advice letters to the applicant, the heritage watchdog said revisions to the scheme had gone “a considerable way to addressing their concerns”, and lifted their objection….
