OUTLINE plans to build 16 stables on greenbelt land in Maidenhead are set to be decided by councillors.

The applicant, Copas Farm, wants to add new stables on land at Lower Mount Farm in Cookham following the “desperate need” for stabling facilities in the local area as demand rises.

The plans involve constructing 16 stables arranged in a single building with associated access and 12 car parking spaces.

This is an outline planning application, which means the applicant is seeking if the Royal Borough Council agrees with the development in principle before submitting a full planning application.

Cookham councillor Mandy Brar (Lib Dem) ‘called in’ this application if officers were set to approve the scheme, believing the development would harm the greenbelt and was concerned with the vehicle access and parking.

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This will mean councillors sitting on the Maidenhead development management panel will determine its fate. Planning officers have recommended members to approve the scheme.

Previous plans for 30 stables and two foaling boxes were refused by planning officers and was dismissed at appeal.

The planning inspector believed the previous proposed development did constitute appropriate development on green belt land, but the overall size and scale of the building would impact its openness.

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Now the applicant is back with a revised plan that nearly halves the number of stables and has removed the fouling boxes, workers accommodation, hay store, rug drying rooms, and changing facilities.

They have also reduced the number of parking from 34 to 12 spaces.

The panel will determine the application on Wednesday, February 16.