Expansion of York Racecourse accommodation given green light
Plans to help York be 'global leader in world racing' backed
Plans said to be needed to support York’s aim of being a global leader in world horse racing have been approved.
Plans from York Racecourse to build an extension on its Stableside hotel, off Tadcaster Road, to add an extra 29 rooms have been approved by City of York Council.
The Racecourse’s plans stated jockeys and racing staff travelling to York for races were having to stay in off-site accommodation away from their horses due to a lack of space.
Council planning officers stated the Racecourse’s continued expansion would contribute to the growth of the local tourism industry and economy.
Plans approved by the council are set to see the two-storey extension built on a grassed area and it would join onto one of the hotel’s existing buildings.
The extension will house new en-suite bedrooms, bringing the number of available rooms at the hotel up to 55.
A new reception area, office and toilets are also set to be built in the existing block that the new building will join on to.
A total of 28 parking spaces are also set to be created, including electric vehicle and disabled bays.
Stableside features a dining and function room along with the accommodation.
Horses can also stay there in its on-site stables.
Stable staff and horses use it between 30 to 35 days a year when races such as the Dante and Ebor festivals are on at The Knavesmire.
Accommodation there is made available to tourists including school and church groups throughout the rest of the year.
The hotel had shared bedrooms until 2020 when it moved to single-occupancy accommodation in line with British Horse Racing (BHR) guidance amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The move reduced the amount of accommodation available overall, leading to rooms having to be sought elsewhere for jockeys and racing staff.
Plans stated the accommodation offered at Stableside was regarded as one of the best facilities of its kind at any racecourse in Britain.
But they added a lack of capacity during major racing festivals was an issue.
Plans stated: “Alternative accommodation options are sub-optimal due to stable staff being remote from their horses and off site from the racecourse – this is not consistent with York’s aim of being a global leader in world racing.
“The accommodation’s direct relationship with the adjacent stables allows horse racing staff to easily access their horses which is vital for equine welfare and operational reasons associated with racing.
“The site has unique features which make the Stableside accommodation an ideal location for horse racing stable staff to use during race days – quiet, secure, secluded with areas for a pick of grass and to stretch horses’ legs.”
The approval of the extension follows the council’s decision allow Stableside to be legally used as a hotel and for racing staff accommodation.
Officials approved York Racecourse’s application for a certificate of lawful use in April.