A horse and carriage operator wants to set up a stables in the West End to cater for the growing cruise ship arrivals at Dockyard.

Ray and Sue Bean, who run Marquis Ranch, have applied for Planning permission for the stables and paddock at 'The Deep' — an area by Lagoon Road and Malabar Road.

The development would consist of 16 horse stalls, feed storage, a tack area, horse washing space, office and bathroom.

The pair say there has been increasing demand for horse and carriage tours, and that "the second cruise ship pier coming online in 2009 makes this development essential".

Their application has been supported by C Tours — a division of C Travel, which says that this year there will be "at least four overnight stays each week" by cruise ships, in contrast to one regular overnight stay last season.

In a letter, C Tours says: "The past few seasons have shown that your 'Horse and Carriage' tours of Dockyard are becoming increasingly popular with our cruise ship visitors.

"With this demand, there have been occasions where guests have requested your services with minimum notice and the fact that your base of operation is quite a distance away, this has prevented your ability to accommodate them.

"We are aware that you are actively pursuing a location that will allow you to move your base of operation to the West End.

"We want to wish you the best of luck in securing this new location prior to the 2008 season as we believe that this is vital in order to meet the increasing demand for your tour.

"With the plans well underway for the second cruise ship pier in Dockyard we feel that it is important to have yourselves already positioned for even greater demand in 2009."

The 6,930 sq ft facility however, would be built on land zoned as woodland.

The land would be leased for three years from the West End Development Corporation.

Its Business Development Manager, W. Edward Williams, has said that after this time, "all structures and fixtures erected by Mr. Bean will have to be removed from the site".

The stables would also have to meet the requirements of Government Veterinary Officer Dr. Jonathan Nesbitt, following guidelines in the Commercial Horse Stable (Licensing) Regulations 2005.

However, Dr. Nesbitt has told Planning: "I have no objection to locating stables as proposed on Lagoon Road in Dockyard."

The Marquis Ranch also provides horse and carriage hire for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions across the Island.

In a letter to the Planning Department, the company says: "We have searched unsuccessfully for a location within the West End to house our horse and carriage operation.

"As a result of the Bermuda Plan 1992, the vast majority of undeveloped land in the West End has been zoned woodland reserve, woodland or open space.

"We are aware that the zoning for this site does not support such development but we have exhausted all other options.

"To be able to provide the level of service and commitment to the ships berthed in Dockyard, it is essential that the base of our operation is located in the West End."

Marquis Ranch says the demand for horse and carriages last year resulted in "numerous trips back and forth in one day with a truck and trailer".

"The growing demand has made it impossible for us to continue to provide this service utilising a truck and trailer. This, coupled with the second cruise ship pier coming online in 2009 makes this development essential."

In April last year, two horses owned by Mr. Bean bolted along Front Street at Harbour Nights, resulting in injuries to 19 people.

Mr. Bean also suffered injuries to his ribs as he was pinned down by a carriage, but continued to chase after the animals to try to calm them down.

Speculation about what spooked the horses has ranged from an exploding firecracker to noise from a children's train and a bridle plume sweeping one of them in the head.