Representation by Gainsborough Thoroughbreds Ltd (Gainsborough Thoroughbreds Ltd)
- Date submitted
- 14 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
OBJECTION to Sunnica Energy Farm Planning Inspectorate Reference: EN010106 My son and I run a bloodstock business, incorporating both racing and breeding interests, in Newmarket, the racehorse “capital” of the UK since the 17th Century. It is a wonderful location in which to base our business and has some of the best training grounds in the country as well as premier stud farms standing some of the world’s best stallions. As such, we are very fortunate to have a large and diverse client-base of International Owners from around the world. Part of the appeal to our clients, and their support of our business, is attributed to the location as well as the heritage and tradition of horseracing and breeding in Newmarket. You only have to read the link below, taken from the Jockey Club’s website, to appreciate the history and subsequent appeal Newmarket has to existing and potential clients:- [redacted] Many of our clients visit Newmarket regularly to see their horses being trained. They also attend the two world-famous racecourses as well as the Tattersalls bloodstock sales held in the town throughout the year. The Sunnica proposal to develop the UK’s largest solar farm adjacent to Newmarket training grounds and stud farms will, we believe, have an enormously detrimental effect to the support of Newmarket from the wider International horseracing and breeding community. We have, of course, discussed the proposal with some of our Owners who have indicated that the prospect of having their horses being trained or bred so close to such a massive development, will, in effect, ruin the exclusivity of keeping horses in and around Newmarket and give them no option but to consider other racing and breeding centres. The history, heritage and tradition of Newmarket is renowned worldwide which is why it attracts so many of the premier racehorse Owners and Breeders. A development of this size will do nothing but harm the industry that has made Newmarket such a respected and appealing hub of International racing and breeding for Centuries. It would unquestionably threaten the continued support from all the major International clients that currently have business interests in Newmarket and the surrounding areas. If our clients relocate the potential for us to close our business or relocate would become a distinct possibility. Simon Crisford