A PROPOSAL to establish an equestrian centre of excellence has been made for the Home Park Estate off Portsmouth Road. in Liphook.

If approved, it would provide training and livery facilities to further the prospects of national and international dressage, eventing and show jumping teams, adjacent to the Liphook Veterinary Hospital.

Located on the border of West Sussex in the South Downs National Park, the 128-acre Home Park Estate comprises a substantial country house, two cottages, the veterinary hospital and the farm itself, which was acquired by the applicant in 2014.

The farm business tenancy is coming to an end and the applicant wants to take the opportunity to develop the land and buildings to meet an identified need for a first-class equestrian centre in the south east of England.

The proposal is to demolish the existing farm buildings and replace them with a stable block which will be erected around a courtyard with an additional indoor arena.

The facility will have a maximum capacity of 38 stables, two tack rooms, two rug stores, a feed room, an equestrian laundry and rug drying room, together with a kitchen and shower room.

In addition to the stabling, there are plans for a horse walker and plant room as well as an indoor riding school.

It is proposed horses will be brought to the site by their owners for individual schooling and training and will be left on site for periods determined by their individual needs.

A total of eight grooms as well as two maintenance staff and two office personnel, all of whom, according to the applicant, will be employed from the local community, will be on site, as well as a yard manager, who will reside in the Lodge Cottage on the estate.

Parking spaces are to be sited adjacent to the equine hospital and new paddocks and a dressage arena north of the buildings.

In total, 72 spaces are proposed to serve the main development, as well as an overflow car park which could accommodate between 200 and 220 additional vehicle spaces.

Access to the site would be via the existing access from the private road, off Portsmouth Road, which diverts to the equine hospital, and Champney’s Forest Mere Resort.

Hampshire County Council’s transport and environment department stated it is unlikely the operation of the proposed equestrian centre would result in a severe impact on the operation and safety of the local road network.

Sports England recently announced a new initiative to assist young people fulfil their talent by finding access to training facilities.

The success of Olympic dressage Gold Medal winner Charlotte Dujardin in Rio this week, is also expected to inspire many youngsters to take up horse -riding

The proposal has the backing of the equestrian industry because there is an urgent need for such a facility in the south of England, offering good transport links and an equine hospital on hand.

But Liphook Golf Club and many of its members have lodged objections because of the likely increase in traffic along Portsmouth Road at peak times.

The club’s managing secretary John Douglass stated among possible grounds for objections are congestion at the railway bridge during peak times and at the junction of the access road and Portsmouth Road – as well as light pollution, referring to the ‘dark skies’ policies within the South Downs park.

He also pointed out likely noise coming from PA systems at the equestrian centre and disruption to residents and users of adjoining land and facilities.

Tony Rudgard, who is a golf club member and sports representative for Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council, has objected to the overflow car park for up to 220 vehicles.

He claimed it would make it more difficult for golfers to cross the road near to the fifth hole and the bridge over the railway between the sixth and seventh holes.

Milland Parish Council felt there were a number of areas of serious concern relative to traffic.

Members say they are fundamentally opposed to the development if it is capable of staging any public, or similar events whether or not of an equine nature.

Councillors pointed out that proposals include provision of large-scale seating, which together with parking for 72 cars, 20-50 horse boxes and the overflow car park could accommodate in excess of 600 people.

They also felt the large-scale traffic movements are likely to be prohibitive for golfers, who have to play across the access road off Portsmouth Road.

Bramshott and Liphook parish councillors also discussed traffic and access safety to the site at their planning meeting on Monday.

Despite being concerned about additional traffic along the Portsmouth Road and any impact on The Square, in the centre of the village, councillors supported the application which they felt would set up additional employment in the national park and they proposed that traffic management could be achieved with the help of the highways department.

Despite numerous objections, the application also has a large number of support from horse riders who feel the proposed equestrian centre is much needed in the area and would provide a safe venue for riding, instruction and competition.

To view the application visit www.southdown.gov. uk and searh for application no. SDNP/16/01758/FUL.