Leading horse trainer Dermot Weld has objected to the first phase of a €70 million redevelopment of the Curragh racecourse.
A decision on the redevelopment by the Turf Club is expected from Kildare County Council in the next few weeks.
If given the go-ahead, the project will see a complete change in the appearance and layout of the buildings at the Curragh, with existing facilities replaced by a new 72-bedroom hotel, new bars and a conference centre.
Mr Weld, who lives and works at Rosewell House adjacent to the project site, claims the proposal would impact on the "respiratory health and performance ability of his horses".
The trainer, who operates internationally-renowned stables employing 80 staff, claims that, based on advice from the Irish Equine Centre, the proposed relocation of an adjacent road "will have a significant negative impact" on his horses.
Local landowners and environmentalists have also lodged objections, saying the development is "contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
However, Pierce Molony, senior steward of the Turf Club, yesterday defended the plans. He said the Turf Club has provided an environmental impact statement (EIS) since the planning application was first made which would clarify concerns.
Kildare County Council is expected to make a decision on the application and the accompanying EIS over the next couple of weeks.
The Turf Club, which has been in existence since 1791, has a 150-year lease from the Department of Defence on 880 acres of the 4,000 acres that make up the Curragh.
It is proposed that the existing R413 regional road be rerouted so that it no longer divides the hotel from the racecourse but instead would sweep around the complex. The scheme is part of a package to redevelop the racetrack facilities including replacing the existing tin-roofed stand with a state-of-the-art one.
The Aga Khan last year gave the Turf Club the Stand House Hotel so it could extend the Curragh facilities.
Mr Molony said the plan was designed so that racing would not cease during redevelopment.
The estimated cost of this phase of the project, which includes rerouting the road and erecting the hotel but not the new stand, is estimated to be some €70 million.
Aside from the donation of the hotel, funding is being drawn from a number of sources. Some €20 million is coming from the Turf Club reserves and additional donations from within the industry. Up to €35 million will come in the form of grant aid from Horse Racing Ireland and the balance will be borrowed.
The Curragh attracts up to 30,000 people for big events such as next weekend's Irish Derby. The proposed new facilities mean the Curragh will be able to cater for between 40,000 to 45,000 race-goers. The new stand would be set back 45m from the track as opposed to the current 20m.