COUNCIL bosses were bombarded with 225 letters calling on them to safeguard Basildon’s Longwood Equestrian Centre.

About 15 users of the centre, in Dry Street, turned up at the Basildon Centre yesterday to deliver the letters, urging the council to refuse plans to build 750 homes in the Dry Street area, which would mean the equestrian centre would be demolished.

Danny Lovey, a Tory Party member who organised the event, said: “Most people who came were day-to-day, not occasional, users. “There’s a real strength of feeling the council wasn’t prepared for. The letters basically call on the council to reject the planning application to safeguard the centre.”

Tory councillor Malcolm Buckley, who is responsible for regeneration, said: “We are making every effort to provide a location where Longwood can continue. “We can’t reveal the sites until one is agreed, but there are three possibles. “The only assurance I can give is they will be offered somewhere else and are scheduled to look at a site next week with council officers. “I am completely unsurprised by the opposition, some of which is whipped up by certain individuals who have been told on more than one occasion we intend to offer alternatives.”