Representation by Suzy Smith Racing Ltd (Suzy Smith Racing Ltd)
- Date submitted
- 6 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Suzy Smith Racing Ltd is a racehorse training facility and commercial breeding operation and has been based on Angmering Park, since 2020. There are approximately 30 horses at Lower Coombe Stables, a mixture of breeding mares and foals and racehorses in training. They are all thoroughbred horses, of high monetary value. Thoroughbred horses are highly strung in nature and racehorses in training are fit and strong. Racehorses in training are stabled at Lower Coombe Stables and trained extensively over Angmering Park Estate. Part of their training is carried out on purpose-built gallops, of which there are three (long, short and grass). These gallops vary in length and surface and are an essential training facility, used daily. The attached paddocks at Lower Coombe Stables are used by racehorses in training, as well as breeding mares and their foals. Suzy Smith Racing Ltd has had sight of the maps forming part of the Onshore Works Plan – Key Plan. The route of the proposed buried cables and associated accesses is going to create several main issues and impacts that will affect the day-to-day life of the business. The area titled ‘work no 9 cable installation works (including construction and operational access)’ presents an extremely dangerous issue/impact. Its boundary is right at the end of/cuts across the existing short gallop. To continue to use this facility alongside the proposed construction, would be extremely dangerous. This particular gallop is used extensively and is the facility of choice for the training of young horses, access to it is gained via Beech Copse. The long gallop is situated to the left of Tenantry Copse and access to it is currently along and crossing the area titled ‘work 15 operational access.’ To continue to use this long gallop, alongside the proposed construction, would present significant danger. Whilst potential alternative routes to access the gallop exist, the operational access still must be crossed. The area labelled ‘work no 13 Temporary Construction Access’ provides access from the A27 to ‘work no 9’ and both of these areas are extremely close to buildings situated at the entrance to Angmering Park, which provide staff accommodation. Construction work in this area will have an adverse effect on the day-to-day lives of the people residing in this accommodation and have a negative impact on their health and well-being. Angmering Park is an ideal setting in which to train racehorses and breed thoroughbreds. In the southeast there are very limited facilities and locations available to carry out such work. Some of the main issues and impacts to the business have been described above. The route of the Onshore Works Plan could quite easily result in potentially fatal accidents involving racehorses in training. Thoroughbreds are nervous in disposition and extremely susceptible to noise and disruption. Extensive disruption to breeding mares in foal, could result in them aborting. Therefore, the proposed route of Onshore Works Plan could easily result in closure or relocation for Suzy Smith Racing Ltd. The impact of this would result in the loss of jobs and opportunities for students seeking work experience. There would also be an impact for other local businesses who supply goods and services (equine vets and feed merchants).