A TOP horsewoman is to launch another bid to establish a multi-million pound equine centre near Bodelwyddan. Last November, the Visitor reported how Megan Taff and her husband David wanted to develop a treatment and therapy centre, with stud farm, stabling and training facilities at Glascoed. They say there is a growing demand for such a complex as owners currently have to travel to the Wirral or other parts of England for specialist treatment. However, their proposals were rejected by members of Denbighshire County Council’s planning committee. The refusal was agreed by a single vote, and one of the most contentious aspects of the scheme was the inclusion of a single person’s accommodation which was said to be needed for security reasons or for an equine nurse to be on hand. But Graham Boase, the council’s head of planning and public protection, said that while there might be a need for such a facility the modern complex would stand out on the hillside close to the historic parks and gardens of Bodelwyddan Castle and Kinmel Park. Now David and Megan, from Llangernyw, near Abergele, who own the Glascoed site, have submitted new plans, but without the accommodation. Megan Taff is one of the most successful competitors in harness racing, having won the National Derby three times and represented Great Britain. She and David, who recently returned from buying stock in the United States, say the Glascoed site, close to the A55, is ideal for the purpose. "The funding is in place for the development and we have one of the country’s top equine vets, an equine dentist and chiropractor all keen to be involved," said David. "We still feel single-person accommodation is needed but that is not the most important part of the plan and the centre can go ahead without it, which is why we have put in new proposals," he said. "Statistics show that North Wales has one of the highest number of horses in the country based on population, and a growing number of farmers are providing livery facilities as they try to diversify, yet owners have to travel huge distances for specialist treatment." The new application is expected to be considered in March. | 
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