Plant gets go ahead despite racehorse health fears

An asphalt plant will be built on a site in Berkshire despite concerns that it could have a negative impact on the local horseracing industry.

West Berkshire Council rejected the plan for land adjacent to the M4 and Membury Airfield in March 2025 over concerns about its location and a potential impact on horses.

The authority said the development, proposed by Putnam Properties, would have conflicted with its policies, such as encouraging active travel. Hundreds of people opposed the application.

But planning inspector Lewis Condé said the project could go ahead after he found it complied with the council's planning policies.

Lambourn is known as the Valley of the Racehorse and is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for racehorse training.

Some within the industry lobbied hard against the proposed plant, saying fumes would affect racehorses' health.

Condé said: "I accept that equine physiology differs from that of humans and that respiratory health is critical to elite racehorse performance.

"However, no policy requirement has been outlined that would necessitate air quality evidence tailored specifically to equine health."

Mark Drake, from Putnam Properties, said it had "huge support" from people for the development, including some inside the racehorse industry.