AN EQUESTRIAN centre which was forced to close to make way for a 725-home estate has been given permission to relocate.

Longwood shut earlier this year ahead of building work starting on a new development in Dry Street, Basildon. It has now been given the green light to build a new centre at Whites Farm, in Barleylands Road.

This will include 44 stables, an indoor arena with a viewing area, offices, a grazing area and parking spaces, to replicate what was on offer in Dry Street.

Redrow Homes, which is building the 725 homes in Dry Street, will cover part of the cost, under the terms of its planning agreement with Basildon Council.

Centre owner Ian Lewington was forced to vacate the previous site in September.

Planning committee member Kerry Smith, councillor for Nethermayne, said: “Mr Lewington has been through a lot and I feel we must support him, because this is an important venue for the borough.”

Tuesday’s planning meeting was the first to be held since Carole Morris was removed as committee chairman by rival councillors.

Tory Mrs Morris was ousted by councillors who objected to her decision to approve two major applications, including the Dry Street homes, in private.

Party colleague Andrew Schrader chaired the meeting .

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the application.