WORCESTER Racecourse has submitted retrospective plans after upgrading its saddling boxes.

Parts of the saddling boxes - where horses are saddled before races - were found to be in poor condition while work on the weighing room was taking place earlier this year.

As the boxes are close to the river, the racecourse said there was concern about “undertaking the works in a timely manner”.

In plans submitted to Worcester City Council, it said: “As work was underway on the adjoining building, and the footpath temporarily diverted, the opportunity was used to undertake the necessary remedial works.

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“However, once started, much of the building was found to be [in] a poorer state than originally thought, likely as a result of its age and the seasonal flood events.

“As such, the decision was taken to replace significant sections with more resilient materials whilst also reducing its length.”

The facility has been reduced from 13 to eight stalls and its overall footprint has been reduced.

But the building’s height has been increased to stop horses hitting their head off the roof should they rear up as they have done in the past.

“Given the limited nature and extent of the works, repairing and replacing facilities in the same location, it is deemed that an appropriate approach has been taken whilst ensuring essential facilities in association with the correct operation of the racecourse,” planning documents state.

“As the extent of footprint has been almost halved, there is deemed to be no impact upon the Riverside Conservation Area or the essential quality and character of the greenspace.”