Save Historic Newmarket

[6] Save Historic Newmarket began with small projects, including advising retailer Majestic Wine on a redesign of their new shop in the town, then in the planning stage.

[5] Save Historic Newmarket first came to national attention in 2009[8] by organising opposition to plans by Edward Stanley, 19th Earl of Derby to build on the land adjacent to his Staney House stud farm.

[9] The group and its affiliates have argued that the development represents a very poor cost-benefit bargain, as it threatens the town's future as a major economic, exporting and employment centre,[10] whilst providing a residential development suited to nearby towns which have repeatedly requested more houses than they have been allocated in local plans.

A group of local residents and businesses including Save Historic Newmarket then challenged the district council's planning strategy in the High Court, arguing it was flawed.

[16] The council and Lord Derby, who had joined them in opposing the local residents, were ordered to pay 90% of the groups' costs and refused leave to appeal.

[18] On 23 March 2012, the Communities and Local Government Minister Eric Pickles, acting on the recommendation of the planning inspector, dismissed the appeal,[19] a decision that Lord Derby did not accept.