PLANS for controversial new stables in Holywell are expected to be given the green light.

A planning application received by Flintshire Council requested permission to build stables and a manege on land at Pen y Ball Hill.

The scheme also proposes to change the use of a piece of land to grazing of horses.

A report to Flintshire Council's planning committee, which will meet on Wednesday, recommends approval be granted for the scheme.

But Holywell West ward councillor Paul Johnson objected to the proposal, citing a 'lack of detail' on the plans and raising concern about the impact the scheme would have on the landscape.

He also had concerns about a public right of way being obstructed by the proposed manege.

Holywell Town Council opposed the development, with a spokesman explaining: "The whole look of the area would be affected and there are also environmental concerns with the diesel emissions from vehicles transporting horse boxes."

A total of 30 letters of objection were also received from neighbours, who raised concerns such as parking issues along Coed y Fron, loss of agricultural land, storage of manure, increased traffic and the impact on public right of way.

Regarding the right of way, the report states: "The land is crossed by public footpath no.14 which travels central to the land holding.

"The course of the path would not change, however the visual impact from the immediate site would be noticeable, however, it is considered that the overall enjoyment of the path would not be jeopardised as a consequence of the proposal.

"Officers consider that the public right of way will not be affected by the proposed stables and manege."

In its conclusion the report states that with the 'appropriate conditions' planning officers feel the development would not cause harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding landscape or cause detrimental harm to neighbouring land uses.

Those proposed conditions include that the existing vehicular footway crossing shall be increased to serve the proposed access road and that facilities shall be provided and retained within the site for the loading, unloading, parking and turning of vehicles.