A horse and pony rescue centre is under threat, due to plans to build 140 homes right on its doorstep.

Natural buffer zone

If it gets the goes ahead, the Barrat Homes estate will be built on 13 acres of greenfield land next to the Mare and Foal Sanctuary on the outskirts of Newton Abbot in Devon.

According to the charity's executive director Simon Avery these fields act as a "natural buffer zone" between the town and country.

"At present, our lovely rural setting here at Honeysuckle Farm offers them [the horses] the safe and comfortable environment they require,” he said. "It is peaceful and quiet; there are no loud noises or unexpected visitors to startle and scare them."

“All this could change from the moment diggers move into neighbouring fields."

Rest and recovery

Barrat Homes has said it would involve the community in the planning process, however it has only just come to light that the company wants to build on a much larger plot, than originally allocated.

The planning application which is currently being prepared means that the building site boundary would be just 10 metres away from the horse’s fields.

The sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the South West and the RSPCA's approved equine rescue centre for the area.

"Horses and ponies which come here need rest and recovery, particularly welfare cases which may have undergone highly traumatic experiences in the past,” he said. "Those simply too old, sick or unsuitable for rehoming live at the sanctuary permanently.”

If a development of this size goes ahead, their rural idyll could turn into a suburban nightmare. "It will be a sad day if this plan is approved," Avery said.