A NEW state-of-the-art quarantine and vet facility is one step closer to completion at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s Beech Trees project in Newton Abbot.

Sanctuary staff and construction teams gathered for a ‘topping out’ ceremony to celebrate the last beam being placed on the top of the new facility, a project which has been on the sanctuary’s wish-list for many years.

Executive director Syra Bowden said: ‘Beech Trees is the next step in helping us develop our vital work caring for horses and ponies in need and is designed to take in horses which have just been rescued or returned to the sanctuary, and keep them in quarantine.

‘By providing onsite veterinary facilities it removes the need to transport a sick horse for some specialist treatment and can cope with horses suffering from a wide variety of medical issues.

‘Its advanced equipment and ventilation system will allow horses to be kept in adjacent stables under optimum conditions with no risk of contamination, ensuring we can provide the highest standards of welfare for years to come.’

The project is being managed by local family-run firm MJR construction.

MJR director Michael Ryland and his project manager son Joshua said: ‘It’s a real pleasure to work with the Mare and Foal Sanctuary. We’re really pleased at the progress we are making and know that we can look back on this project with pride when it’s finished.

‘The biggest challenge has been working through the wettest winter on record, but we hope to be finished on schedule. The real work starts now to get all the detail and finer touches completed.’

Architect James Lingard added: ‘This has been a great project to work on. Collaboration with the local authority, wildlife consultants and landscape experts has resulted in a building that minimally impacts the surrounding area whilst allowing the sanctuary to continue its valued work throughout the south west.’