Top racehorse trainers joined local residents yesterday (Thursday 14 April) in a protest against a new development in Newmarket.
The Save Historic Newmarket Action Group is opposing the building of blocks of modern flats on Bury Road, in Newmarket’s conservation area.
More than 100 people including trainers John Gosden, John Berry, Luca Cumani, Jeremy Noseda, Geoff Wragg and Clive Brittain turned up to show their support.
Emma Berry, wife of John Berry, told H&H: “It was a great turn out, there were lots of racing names as well as local residents and it got good coverage by the BBC and Anglia TV.”
Rachel Hood, organiser of the group and wife of John Gosden added: “It was tremendous, so many people joined us. So far we haven’t come across anyone, except the developers, who don’t support the project.
“It is unbelievable that the Bury Road should be spoiled by a vanity project.”
The developer — Highland Homes — has already felled 50 trees have already been felled at the site which is a haven for bats and other protected wildlife.
Ms Hood said: “The residents of Newmarket have been very badly let down by Forest Heath District Council. This out-of-keeping development in the historic Bury Road is a disaster for the conservation area and should never have been allowed.
“David Hughes, of the developer Highland Homes, has been offered the opportunity to preserve the conservation area with an in-keeping style of development but he has rejected this opportunity and bulldozed down more than 50 trees and destroyed a natural habitat for wildlife.”
The group are meeting with the Forest Heath council tomorrow (15 April) at 8am to discuss the matter further.
A petition is online at www.historicnewmarket.co.uk.
