AMBITIOUS plans for 49 new stables at a West Buckland racehorse yard have been unveiled by trainer Alexandra Dunn.

Alexandra Dunn Racing, which she runs with husband Tom, relocated from Worcestershire about seven years ago.

Mrs Dunn is licensed by the British Horseracing Association and has been making a name for herself in point-to-point and National Hunt racing.

Now she has submitted a planning application for a rectangular shape stable block which would house 49 racehorses plus two 54-feet radius walking pads.

Planning agent Yvonne Davies, of Davies Rural Property Consultants, said the stables would be built on a grazing paddock in the south-east corner of the site, which is off Silver Street, opposite Crossways Chapel.

The stables would all face inward to a central courtyard housing the two horse walkers and would be built in a traditional outdoor stable style with timber boarding and slate-effect roofs.

Ms Davies said Mrs Dunn was supported in training the racehorses by team of professional riders, grooms, and jockeys.

The additional stables were needed to be able to train more horses on site to grow the business while meeting British Horseracing Authority welfare standards.

The development would see an increase from seven to ten full-time equivalent staff at the yard.

The plans were supported by West Buckland Parish Council last week, when chairman Margaret Blogg said she was pleased to see a local business growing and creating more jobs.