PLANS to upgrade a 'tired' stables yard in Stainton have been given the green light despite some opposition from village residents.

The Sellet Estate Stables application will see the conversion of three barns into staff accommodation, a new stable block and indoor manege, an extension for a utility building, an outdoor manege, muck heap, landscaping and alternation to an existing track.

Speaking at South Lakeland District Council's planning committee on behalf of a group of residents, David Coates said it was a 'great facility but the wrong location'.

"In simple terms, what is before you is the replacement of a small scale livery yard with a full blown equestrian centre," he said. "There is no dispute that the facilities would be exceptional, however this is not a matter for your consideration, it is only the effect of the development as a whole on the locality."

He argued that the plans would impact on the landscape, that country lanes would not be able to cope with lorries needed to carry out work and overall traffic would increase. He also expressed concerns about the amount of rock and soil that would be removed.

However, speaking on behalf of staff, yard manager Freddi Porter-Shaw said that worries about increase usage of the stables were 'unjustified'.

"We employ brilliant and hard working and friendly staff," she said. "We are not here to cause a problem to the local community, the school or any other road users. We are just trying to do our job well and give our clients a good service and keep the business functioning."

She argued that the improvements would result in a reduction of traffic thanks to the staff accommodation and that nothing would be 'added' to the business.

"I would like to express the importance of this planning application going forward for the long term security of my job and the others that are employed at Sellet.

"All we would like to do is improve our working conditions quietly and efficiently."

She added that the improvements would also address drainage on the site, which regularly suffers from surface water flooding.

Hilary Waterhouse, owner of the stables, argued that 'wide scale improvements' were urgently needed.

"The plans allow us to upgrade an existing business and not to expand it," she said. "We have worked with our architect and the planning department to continue to ensure sympathetic landscaping is extensively carried out which will enhance the aesthetic nature of the site."

Cllr Janette Jenkinson said that she believed it had been a 'well designed site' that would improve conditions for staff and animals.

"I'm excited as the grooms actually," she said. "I think this is absolutely fantastic.

The scheme was approved, with added conditions around when vehicles would be allowed to travel past Crosscrake CE Primary and that no external shows or competitions would be put on at the stables.