A respite centre for horses is to be built in Paget.

Planning officials have approved a stables, farmhouse and garage on land at Friths Farm Road, despite six objections from residents who said the centre would create smells and rodent activity next to their properties. They also said the zoning did not support the conversion of open space and agricultural land to recreational use.

However, agent Entasis Architecture said clean, well-managed stables do not generate pests, and that the grazing of horses was a permitted agricultural use.

The planning application, by the Haileybury Trust, was also supported by the Bermuda SPCA, Bermuda Veterinary Association and Horsepower Productions Inc.

The development will consist of a 2,913 sq ft single storey stable building with three horse stalls, a tack room, feed room and wash bay. The centre will be run by a qualified trainer who is backed by the Institute for Equestrian Arts. It will house two horses on a full-time basis, with a third stall for emergencies, training, respite and recovery.

Government has applied for planning permission for a Police forensics laboratory in Pembroke.

The four-storey building, if approved, will also house Government waste management and environmental health officers.

The multi-purpose facility will be situated off Marsh Folly Road and have a gross floor area of 48,421 sq ft. The architects are CS and P Architects of Toronto, Canada.

The forensics laboratory includes photo studios, a 'bag and tag' area, drug storage, intake and triage, a finger print centre, vehicle examination bays, toxicology room, trace evidence area, interview rooms and other laboratories.

There have been no objections so far to the application, by the Ministry of Works and Engineering.