A remote farm in the Borders is set to become a
falcon breeding and training centre for the Qatari royal family.
Planners have given the go-ahead for the
development by Sheikh Ali Abdullah bin Jassim al-Thani at Weensmuir Farm, near
Bonchester Bridge.
He anticipates members of the royal family
visiting four times a year to select birds of prey for purchase.
Scottish Borders Council approved the plans with
a string of conditions attached to the development.
About 40 high-value falcons at a time will be
bred and trained at the centre.
The plans will see the current farmhouse almost
double in size along with the conversion of a stable block for staff
accommodation, the creation of a pond and the erection of large hack pens where
the birds learn to fly.
Permission was given for the erection of
breeding pens and storage buildings as well as being able to accommodate guests
with an entourage of up to 15 people.
In his application the Sheikh wrote: "The
breeding of high quality hawks and training for hunting is a popular pastime in
Qatar and the reputation for hawks trained in the UK is excellent - and this
proposal aims to take advantage of local expertise.
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