PLANS to turn a Vale stud farm into an equine training centre could go-ahead despite objections from parish councillors.

The new owners of the Cropthorne Stud on Field Barn Lane, Tony and Joanne Carroll, specialise in training racehorses. They want to develop the business by installing an all weather gallop and indoor horse walker.

An ancillary stud facility for breeding purposes will be maintained, and the plans have been recommended for approval by Wychavon District Council's planning officers.

In comments submitted about the plans to Wychavon's development control committee, Cropthorne parish councillors said: "We believe it is an inappropriate facility on the edge of the village, representing an unacceptable change in the visual character of the area." Concerns were also raised about traffic increases along Field Barn Lane.

The Ramblers' Association is concerned about a possible obstruction to a public right of way.

Residents living near the stud also have misgivings about the proposal, including the potential noise created by the horse walker. Previous problems with the site's drainage and the number and size of vehicles visiting it were also raised.

In a letter submitted to the committee, Mr Carroll stressed the facility would not be open to the public and anticipated a traffic reduction. He rejected the description of the plans as an 'inappropriate facility', adding the land had been connected with horses for at least 25 years.

Mr Carroll said the horse walker would not be noisy as it involved the animals walking on rubber mats. Wychavon district councillors are expected to make a final decision at a committee meeting this Thursday.