IN PICTURES: Racing industry marches against Hatchfield Farm plans
SOME of the most influential figures in Newmarket's racing community were among a 300-strong crowd which gathered at Tattersalls on Monday to protest against controversial plans to build 1,200 houses on land at Lord Derby's Hatchfield Farm.
Trainers Sir Michael Stoute, Henry Cecil, Luca Cumani and James Fanshawe, alongside representatives from Sheikh Mohammed's Darley and Godolphin racing operation, racing and stud workers and members of the public, gathered to listen to members of the Save Historic Newmarket Action Group speak of their fight to stop the development.
The demonstration followed the submission of a formal application for outline planning permission last week and coincided with the start of a public examination of the core strategy for the district by a planning inspector which began at Forest Heath Council's office in Mildenhall on Tuesday.
The issues specifically affecting Newmarket will be heard by the inspector at a special Newmarket day on Thursday, January 7.
The racing industry is opposing Lord Derby's proposed development, which will not only include housing but also a retail park and multi-screen cinema, because they claim it will harm racing and destroy the town's unique position as the historic home of the sport.
Addressing the crowd, Save Historic Newmarket members Rachel Hood and Jacko Fanshawe said the plans would destroy the town.
"We are here for one thing and one thing only and that is to unite in our condemnation of Lord Derby's proposed plans to develop Hatchfield Farm," Mrs Fanshawe said. "The development would have a hugely detrimental effect on the town."
She said trainers wanted to be able to move their horses around the town freely without the hindrance of traffic, which campaigners fear could disrupt the thoroughbred industry.
Mrs Hood added: "We in this town are not going to sit back and watch it being destroyed by the people who are supposed to protect it."
She said Newmarket was a centre of excellence, and told protesters every measure must be taken to protect its heritage.
After the rally, the protest moved to Newmarket's memorial hall, home of Newmarket Town Council, which is also opposed to the development.
Warren Place trainer Henry Cecil said: "I don't think Lord Derby is really interested in Newmarket and I don't think Newmarket is big enough to take any more homes or people.
"The traffic is already a nightmare and the queues are horrendous. You remember the film The Day the Earth Stood Still? If this goes ahead it will be the day Newmarket stood still."
And Bedford House trainer Luca Cumani said: "We are campaigning for Newmarket to be preserved as the headquarters for racing."
Jimmy George, Tattersalls marketing director, said: "We all feel badly let down by our district councillors.
"All of us are deeply concerned for the future of the town and the racing and breeding industries within it, but Forest Heath has remained set on a course that could destroy a town regarded globally as a centre of excellence."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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