The Royal Agricultural Society of England and The British Horse Society plan Major National Equestrian Headquarters at Stoneleigh Park

The Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) and The British Horse Society (BHS) have today agreed in principle a deal under which the BHS will build a new HQ at Stoneleigh on the site owned by the RASE and the home of the Royal Show.

Once the detailed legal work has been completed, it is envisaged that a planning application for a building will be submitted jointly by the two organisations and supported by Advantage West Midlands. SMC Corstorphine and Wright have been retained as architects for the development.

Many of the Member Bodies of the British Equestrian Federation have indicated a strong interest in joining the BHS in the new building which will be of significant size to accommodate this. This should mean that, for the first time in ten years, most of the major UK equestrian organisations will be working together under one roof.

For the BHS, Chairman Patrick Print FBHS said: "I am very pleased that we are now in the position whereby we can at last press ahead with plans for a state-of-the-art, energy efficient, environmentally sound HQ for the equestrian community. We are pleased, too, that after a decade of geographical separation of the various BEF member bodies, which tended to hinder efficient communication and which created dis-economies through fragmentation, the opportunity for co-location should further cement the positive and collaborative spirit which is now a characteristic of today's Federation."

For the RASE, Chairman Hugh Oliver-Bellasis said: "We are delighted that the BHS will be coming back to our site here at Stoneleigh Park after an interval of some ten years. Although this development is distinct from proposals by the BEF to create an FEI Global Equestrian Academy, and other developments within the proposed equine zone of our plans for a Centre of Rural Excellence, it creates a clear focus for equine activity nationally here at Stoneleigh. The RASE very much values its links with the equine sector and looks forward to further exciting developments as we seek to realise our joint plans."

For the BEF, Chairman Hugh Thomas said: "The BEF and its Member Bodies need to work from an efficient office. This proposal illustrates our collective desire to work as a cohesive, unified, progressive and modern organization. I am thrilled that the BHS, working with the RASE, has stepped forward in this way to provide accommodation for all members of the Federation."

For Advantage West Midlands, Development Director Stuart Kirkwood said: "This is an extremely positive step in the progression of Stoneleigh and one that will help to contribute towards the recognition nationally of this site as a centre of rural excellence in a variety of rural sectors."