By Monica Chard
The Eco Park has had an effect on many of us in one way or another, whether a blight on our view, the traffic or the smells. But noise has apparently been having an impact within the immediate area of the site. The Charlton Vil-lage stables had been an area of peace and recreation for many riders and their steeds for many years. Stuart Boyle offers a mix of paid livery and keeps his own horses which he uses for riding for the disabled. Many chil-dren have enjoyed the pleasure of riding these steady horses and there are currently 20 com-ing regularly. The activity has put a smile on the face of many visitors, some deaf, some with autism. Riding has been recognised as a positive activity for both mental and physical health. At the start of plans for the Eco Park, the ideal would have been to find an alterna-tive site for the stable but that did not happen.
It is with a heavy heart that Stuart Boyle is seriously considering closing his stables in Charlton Village.
He says noise from the Eco Park is upsetting the horses. Initially it was the construction, with a lot of impact from the piling, but lately noise is coming from alarms and deliveries. Horses are flighty animals, prone to spooking. When a horse spooks, they become unpredict-able. They can buck and take flight. Stuart Boyle himself, a very experienced horseman, has been trampled several times by spooked horses, the last time resulting in 2 broken ribs. He cannot take the risk of injury to one of the young riders.
Horses have also run and become entangled in electric fences. The resulting injuries to the animals was significant.
Stuart has approached the Eco Park to report incidents but feels his complaints have not been taken seriously and has not felt that the impact on his animals or vulnerable riders has been fully appreciated. We spoke to a Suez spokesperson who said that there was little noise coming from the Eco Park and that there have been very few complaints about noise interference. If you have any comments, make sure you log them with Suez or the EA.
The stables have been operating on the site for 25 years, largely in peace, until the con-struction of the Eco Park started. So, without a proposed solution, either to move the facili-ty or ensure tranquility, he feels the only solu-tion is to close. Stuart is having a last attempt to find a resolution but will take the decision in February. Should the Charlton Village sta-bles close, it will mean almost certain death for 12 old horses, which have been used for riding for the disabled. Closure will mean also loss of income for the many local suppliers and services used by the stables. It will also call into question what will happen to the land. A parcel of the land is under considera-tion as part Spelthorne Council’s Local Plan. Would this be the final nail in the coffin?