A deal to bring a major national equestrian headquarters to the Midlands was agreed yesterday.
The Royal Agricultural Society of England and the British Horse Society announced plans to move to the site in Stoneleigh - the home of the Royal Show in Warwickshire.
In addition, many of the member bodies of the British Equestrian Federation have indicated a strong interest in joining the BHS in the new building. This would mean most of the major national equestrian organisations would be together under one roof for the first time in ten years.
A Rase spokesman yesterday said the society and the BHS had agreed on proposals for a long lease of about 2.5 acres of land at Stoneleigh Park, with the precise terms of the lease still to be decided.
Once completed, it is thought a planning application for the building will be submitted by the two organisations, with support from Advantage West Midlands.
Patrick Print, the BHS chairman, said the society was pleased at the prospect of being reunited with other BEF member bodies.
He said: "I am very pleased that we are now in the position whereby we can press ahead with plans for a state-of-the-art, energy efficient, environmentally sound HQ."
