Horse centre plan gets go-ahead

OWNERS of the internationally renowned Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club in Great Canfield have been given the go-ahead to build a state of the art indoor equestrian school. The complex will include an indoor riding and driving area and four flats where vi

OWNERS of the internationally renowned Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club in Great Canfield have been given the go-ahead to build a state of the art indoor equestrian school.

The complex will include an indoor riding and driving area and four flats where visiting instructors, competitors and students can stay.

Manager Zoe Morgan said: "We were so pleased when we finally got the thumbs up.

"This is the final part of a three stage development of the club, and realises the ambition of owner Terry Chambers to develop a top class centre."

Mr Chambers bought the centre in 2003 with the view of developing it from its old and leaking buildings into a three-stage plan for a centre.

Two years later work started, the old stables were pulled down and a new 34-stable block built in a horseshoe shape as seen at Newmarket.

The second phase was the building of a house for Mr Chambers. This is due to be completed within six weeks.

Phase three of the project is the building of the indoor arena with its flats.

"We are now looking forward to hosting a variety of events this year," Miss Morgan said.

"The first on the calendar is on the weekend of April 21 and 22 and will be a carriage driving competition where some of the top-ranked carriage drivers in the country will come and compete."

The new complex is described as being built from red brick and designed to be in keeping with the other properties at the venue and in the village.