Hetland Hall Hotel expansion set for approval despite stables’ horse fall fears

However, a submission on behalf of Hetland Hill Stables warned that the density of the proposed lodges near its gallops created “severe safety risks”.

“Thoroughbred race horses are highly strung and the proposed residential and leisure areas pose a unique threat to the horses, the public and the riders,” it said.

“If one of the horses is spooked by the slightest noise this can result in the horse and rider falling and bringing down others and this has happened in the past which resulted in a fatal outcome.”

Natasha Galpin, 22, died after falling off her horse at the stables in January 2019.

A fatal accident inquiry later concluded it had been a “tragic, immediate, unforeseen and unforeseeable accident”.