A BREEDER who feared Heybridge Swifts’ plans for a new stadium would jeopardise her rare breed of horses has praised Maldon District Council’s decision to reject the bid.

Sue Wager has bred the Suffolk Punch Horse at her Goldhanger Road home, Saltcote Hall for more than 30 years.

She feared plans for a new football stadium developed on fields near to the farm would have threatened the countryside needed for them to grow up.

Heybridge Swifts wanted to build a new stadium with three pitches on field land on Goldhanger Road.

She said: “It was a great decision which has worked out very well for us.

“If that stadium were to have developed on the fields right next to us it would have been a complete disaster.

“The horses need peace, quiet and tranquillity which to date this area has always offered. Having a football stadium and leisure complex put right next to the stud would have written off these horses.

“However, at the same time, we must feel for the Swifts.

“They clearly do need the new facilities and we want the children of the area who enjoy sports to have the places to enjoy them.

“I do hope that after this they can find a suitable area which has the infrastructure that such a large development needs to sustain it.”

Chigboro Fisheries, which has campaigned against the plans, said in a statement: “Although we are delighted with the outcome of Thursday’s meeting, it was not a victory against the Swifts football club itself, but against a poorly constructed set of plans for an oversized urban style leisure complex set in protected coastal countryside.

“The Swifts have kept their noise down to acceptable levels for the last year or two while the plans were under scrutiny. We hope that they will continue to show such consideration in the future. This area along the Goldhanger Road is used by many thousands of people for a wide array of peaceful activities. We are thankful to the council for recognising that this development would have caused a permanent loss to the local community, environment and of tourism for Maldon.”

A spokesman for Bloor Homes said: “Bloor Homes is obviously very disappointed in the decision to refuse the applications for the proposed new stadium and in particular the redevelopment of the Swifts’ current site in Scraley Road, after what have been prolonged and detailed negotiations with officers at Maldon District Council.

“We look forward to continue working with the club to secure the residential development of the Scraley Road site for much needed new housing once the club has considered its options and has a clearer way forward on potential alternative relocation opportunities.”