A riding stables could be redeveloped to build more than 100 homes and a new community centre.
Plans for Barnfield Stables Equestrian Centre were registered by Epping Forest District Council last week and include provision for up to 117 homes in Sewardstone, according to a planning statement by Alistair Flatman Planning.
K D Design & Development, listed as the applicant on the council’s planning website, is also proposing to relocate the riding stables to the east of the site.
According to a design and access statement, the updated equestrian centre will have purpose-built stables, living quarters, offices and parking for staff and visitors.
It also claims new public open space, which would include areas for children’s play, ball games, footpaths for dog walkers and links to the Lee Valley Regional Park, will separate the equestrian centre from the housing development.
The applicants believe the proposal "benefits" the public with the provision of the community centre and public open space which it says are only deliverable via the new housing scheme.
The new community facility would be located near Godwin Close and would aim to serve the many families moving into the development, the statement continues.
The development would also comply with the council’s affordable housing requirement, which is a minimum of 40 per cent for developments of 11 or more homes, or on land bigger than 1,000 square metres.
The application is for outline permission, which means the proposals are indicative and could change after a later detailed application, should this be given permission by the council.
Although the site is on the green belt, the planning statement claims limited harm would be caused because it is previously developed land.
According to the planning statement, the council is currently unable to demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply and was only delivering 49 per cent of its housing numbers as of the 2020 Housing Delivery Test.
Epping Forest District Council will decide on whether to approve the scheme later this year.
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