Searching for a healthy balance (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Searching for a healthy balance

9:37am Sunday 15th January 2006 in News By David Jackman

DISTRICT councillors will have to balance the need to protect the green belt with the need to provide health and fitness facilities when they consider plans for Blakes Golf Club, Bobbingworth, district council leader John Knapman said.

Plans for a health and leisure complex at the Epping Road course are to be debated by Epping Forest Council's district development control committee on Tuesday.

Planning officers are recommending that the scheme be rejected.

Moreton, Bobbingworth and the Lavers Parish Council has not objected but North Weald Parish Council says the proposal is inappropriate in the green belt and would generate sizeable new vehicle movements along the A414.

Moreton, Bobbingworth and the Lavers Parish Clerk Colin Thompson said local schools and residents would benefit from the facility. He said: "We took the view that the golf course was already there and the green belt has already been modified therefore such additional building wouldn't have an additional impact.

"The decision wasn't taken lightly but the pros marginally outweighed the cons."

Mr Knapman said: "It has the support of two of the local schools because they're going to be allowed free access for swimming lessons.

"We have previously allowed a Holmes Place in Chigwell which has been a remarkable success. My view in principle is that we should be looking to provide health and fitness.

"In general I would be encouraging it.

"It may well be that we have to realise that the modern resident doesn't regard running up country lanes in the pouring rain to get fit as a suitable way of operating."

He added: "In this case it's a balanced debate and the committee is going to have to take a view on it."