PLANS to build a replacement stable on land off Blindmere Road, Portland has led to an objection from the town council.

The application, to demolish the existing building and replace it with a slightly larger one, is being recommended for approved, despite the town council objection, at the November 7th meeting of the borough planning committee.

Officers say there has long been a stable on the site, south west of Blindmere Road, with the existing building being described as being in a dilapidated state and largely made out of corrugate metal sheeting.

The new building would have three stables and a store, arranged in an L shape, made of local stone and render walls under a fibre cement roof with timber windows and doors. Permission for it was granted in 1999 and renewed in 2004, 2009, 2012 and 2015, although it has not been built.

Portland Town Council in its objection claim that the building is outside the development boundary, that the size and scale of the building would be obtrusive in an open area and that there may be an impact on a nearby Right of Way.

Both the highway authority and Natural England have not objected.

Planning officers will advise councillors that the application fits in with guidelines for equestrian developments and that the materials proposed would be more sympathetic to the character of the area than the existing building. They add that it would not have an affect on any local rights of way.