Having demonstrated the need for the centre, the combined efforts of planners at DHA in Maidstone and Nortoft Partnerships in Northampton secured this highly significant permission for the £2m redevelopment of the Caldecote Livery for its owners: show jumper Edward Brook and dressage rider Mandy Day.
Despite being located in the Green Belt, and including a large indoor riding arena, DHA successfully argued the proposals presented ‘very special circumstances’ to overcome policy restrictions for the eight acre equestrian development.
The council accepted that it will provide a much-needed training centre and livery to the standard and size required by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) for Olympic and Paralympic riders and for riders from across the region, many of whom wrote letters of support.
The main building, which is 3,262m2 in size, has been designed to sit at the bottom of the slope that leads towards the M1 motorway and below the horizon level to diminish its visual impact.
Work on building 33 livery stables, a double-height 60m x 25m indoor training arena, alongside a club room, lecture and training room can now get under way on the buildings designed by architects Harrison Mutch.
The plans also include ancillary storage and overnight staff accommodation, with external areas for horse walking, show jumping and dressage training, and 31 car parking spaces. The open-air training area will be 80m x 65m in size with a specialist all-weather surface.