A HORSE rehabilitation and rehoming charity’s ambition to create a permanent base at an isolated North York Moors site has been recommended for approval, despite being opposed by numerous local residents.

All For Horses’ said its retrospective planning application to change the use agricultural buildings at Silpho, in Harwood Dale to stable rescued horses, retain a touring caravan and portacabin for workers and build a summerhouse and toilet block would enable the charity to respond to the UK horse crisis.

Numerous organisations, including the RSPCA and Blue Cross, have declared a horse crisis as the number of neglect cases have soared to record levels because of over breeding.

An All For Horses spokesman it cared for about 30 horses “to save them from the meat trade or where owners were no longer able to look after them”.

He said: “Some had suffered physical abuse while some were just unwanted, but all were in need of care, and we started because there was no other rescue centre in the area.”

Ahead of the proposal being considered by the North York Moors National Park Authority later this week, it said the overnight accommodation was needed for volunteer workers, often veterinary and other students.

It said while its day volunteers included ex-military personnel recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder and some referred by health support agencies, such as those suffering from dementia or learning difficulties that are otherwise excluded from volunteering opportunities.

The charity spokesman added: “In summary, in addition to being sustainable and of benefit to our local community, we feel that our use of the farm and buildings is better all-round and with less environmental impact than that of a non-farming family living here and commuting to work and school.”

However, local residents say the changes have created an eyesore and draw too much traffic to narrow lanes, and the parish council has stated while “the sentiment behind the enterprise is good, the proposals are an over-intensification”.

In objections to the proposals, neighbours claimed the charity was considered a nuisance and said they were concerned approval of the plan would be seen as a green light to expand activities at the site.

Elaine Tranter, of Ruswarp, added: “There seems to be little evidence of rehabilitation and rehoming. Overall the premises are an unsightly eyesore in an otherwise beautiful area of the national park.”

Another objector, Sarah Woodward, of Scalby, said: ” Given this is in the national park it has more resemblance to a scrap yard than an area of natural beauty.”

The application has also drawn support from numerous people, who said All For Horses provided excellent care for the animals it took in.

Joanne Richardson, of Gilberdyke, said: “What is clearly not understood by some people is that this is a working farm with a high number of animals that have been rescued from extremely poor conditions.

“We visited during the winter months and yes it was muddy, as is to be expected, but horses were warm, dry and well fed. I hope All For Horses can continue the great work they are doing in rescuing animals that are in desperate need and would ultimately be put to sleep, these horses and ponies can and do go on to have a great life.”

Owen and Audrey Welford, of Robin Hoods Bay said the All For Horses centre was needed for the care of rescued and abandoned horses and ponies.

They added: “The people need all the help and support to continue the excellent care and welfare of the animals as they are doing at present.”

A planning officers’ report into the plan has concluded it represents a suitable re-use of farm buildings and agricultural land, and that it would not have a detrimental impact on the character of the locality.