PROPOSALS for a thoroughbred racehorse stud farm go before Purbeck planning bosses next week.

Purbeck District Council's (PDC) planning committee will rule on an application to transform a breeding cattle shed and farmland, at Blackdown House Farm, The Hollow, Briantspuddle, into a stud farm.

These plans also include the construction of associated buildings for stabling, storage of feed and equipment, and the erection of three dwellings - a three-bedroomed bungalow and a pair of two-bedroomed houses - for stable staff.

The site is located within the Piddle Valley Conservation Area.

The applicant, Blackdown House Stud, had operated Whitcombe Monymusk stable and stud near Dorchester for the past six years.

Due to the owner of that site, the late Liz Nelson, passing away, the business was eventually relocated to Briantspuddle in April this year.

A report to PDC planning committee members, from case officer Andrew Collins, recommends permission be granted for the Briantspuddle stud farm.

Mr Collins explained: "The details submitted by the applicant demonstrate that the business has been established for a number of years, albeit at a different site.

"The moving of the business to this site has already resulted in increased investment in the land and buildings to make the site suitable and appropriate for horses, especially thoroughbred race horses."

Natural England has no objections to the proposal, and Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle Parish Council is also recommending approval.

The district council has also received four comments from neighbours supporting the planning application, and none from residents opposed to it.

In his letter backing the plans, Neighbour Josef Barnsley, Longacre Barn, The Old Dairy, Briantspuddle, said: "I fully support his intent to run a stud farm from his property.

"I am happy to see the land used so productively and believe the proposed workers dwellings will have minimal impact on my privacy.

"I wish him good fortune in his venture."

Meanwhile, neighbours John and Margaret Clegg, of The Old Dairy Bungalow, commented: "We would like to see it made a planning condition that the proposed new dwellings will indeed only be occupied by staff and not resold or let on the open market.

"This this would provide an incentive to maintain rural employment within our village and also ensure that no precedent is set for speculative property development within this notable green open space."

PDC's planning committee members are scheduled to convene at Westport House, Worgret Road, Wareham, at 10am on September 26.