Council supports new horse riding school

Gosford Council has agreed to support an application for a new horse riding school on Empire Bay Dr, Empire Bay.

The proposal includes improvements to the existing agistment facilities on the property including the upgrade of an existing holding paddock, the formalisation of a holding paddock to a lesson arena, the formalisation of the view area, the upgrade of three existing spelling paddocks and use of the widened driveway for client parking.

The proposal provides for a local "animal training establishment" that would service the greater Peninsula and Bouddi catchment and provide local part time employment and economic benefits for local families.

It would also provide a local recreational facility for young people and people with disabilities who wanted to learn horse riding skills.

In addition, the proposal sought to establish a valuable small scale tourist facility that would service the growing day trip and overnight market.

A staff assessment of the proposal presented to Gosford Council on Tuesday, June 7, stated that there was a strong demand for additional horse riding facilities in the area with only one other commercial operation which was already operating to capacity and had limited availability for additional students.

The council will initiate the Local Environmental Plan "gateway process" to enable the proposal to proceed.

Gosford Council Agenda ENV.49, 5 Jun 2012