THE sound of horses in competition could be replaced with the sounds of rhinos if proposals submitted to Cornwall Council are approved.

It comes as a former equestrian centre near Launceston unveils plans for its transformation into a zoo.

CFTR Trading Ltd, working alongside Care for the Rare Ltd has applied to Cornwall Council for a planning application to change the use of the site in addition to a zoo licence which will allow them to operate from the site at St Leonard’s Equitation Centre.

If approved, it will see the change of use of the existing equestrian land and buildings to zoo use for the housing of non-domesticated herbivores including rhinos along with with associated storage, staff and welfare facilities

In accompanying documents, the applicant has stated: “The application seeks planning permission for the change of use of land and existing buildings from equestrian purposes to a wildlife park (zoo use – sui generis). The proposal includes several key features.

“Public access will be provided from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Sunday, with an anticipated attendance of approximately 400 visitors per day. The park will employ around 13 full-time staff responsible for animal welfare, operations, and visitor management.

“Existing barns and stables will be retained and adapted internally to provide secure housing for non-domesticated herbivores, while the existing paddocks will be repurposed as secure outdoor grazing habitats with fencing and barriers designed to meet Defra Zoo licensing standards.

“Vehicular access will remain unchanged, continuing via the equestrian centre’s established A388 junction, and parking will continue to be accommodated within the existing shared car park, which has a proven capacity for large-scale events. This application seeks only the change of use and basic adaptations; any future permanent visitor facilities such as catering, washrooms, or additional structures will be addressed through phased applications as the project develops.”

Alongside this, the site of the proposed zoo has stated its wish to repurpose the present holiday cottages on the site into the new venture and include the opportunity for guests to take part in quiet evening tours of the site.

The organisation behind the plans has also stated that it believes that its proposed use of the site would enhance the area with a potential reduction in the noise and odour it would produce.

It noted: “The existing equestrian centre historically accommodated up to 28 stabled horses on a daily basis, with periodic large equestrian events hosting around 200 horses plus their riders and spectators. These major events brought many horses (often arriving in transport boxes with bedding and feed) to the site temporarily, creating substantial peaks in manure and waste generation. The current waste management infrastructure includes an established manure storage clamp on-site for collecting horse manure.”

In comparison, it argued that the non-native herbivores on the site, including rhinos would produce drier dung, lower moisture and urine volume and a comparable biomass with less odour compared to the previous use.

The public can view the proposals for the site on the Cornwall Council planning portal using reference PA25/06781.