An old farm complex could be converted to create a major country and outdoor pursuits centre in the Maldon district.

It is proposed to revamp the 70-acre site at Home Farm, Broad Street Green Road, Great Totham by restoring two old Essex barns, creating a lake and providing opportunities for horse riding, fishing, clay pigeon shooting, archery and sailing.

In addition, the centre would offer seminar and small-scale banqueting facilities. It is intended to undertake a five-year woodland management scheme with the Forestry Commission to restore a neglected ancient woodland.

The applicant, farmer, John Lawrence, submitted plans to Maldon District Council last week. He hopes the scheme will boost the local economy.

In a letter to the planning department he said: "There is an acute shortage of accommodation in the area and many visitors, both tourists and business people dealing with local companies, have to go outside the area to find suitable accommodation.

"Our intended activities on the country pursuit front have been indulged in for generations in the rural community and would not be at all out of place."

Maldon's director of planning, Andrew White, said: "Rural diversity is a government policy.

"This scheme could provide jobs in the rural area but there are issues about site access, visible intrusion and effects on neighbours which need to be looked at."

The plans will be discussed in June.

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