ORGANISERS of the hugely popular Tendring Show say its future is now safe and secure after plans for eight houses on nearby land were given the green light.

The revised scheme for eight large houses at Lawford House, in Bromley Road, was submitted by the Tendring Hundred Farmers’ Club and Michael Howard Homes.

The site is the venue for the Tendring Show, which attracts tens of thousands of people to Lawford every July.

The money secured from the development will help secure the future use of the showground.

Tom Glover, who was president at last year’s show, had said his greatest fear had been losing the site.

He said: “I have been involved with the Tendring Show for nearly 50 years, our greatest concern has been the possibility of losing the show site because we have no security of tenure.

“The show is a major public event in the Tendring area attracting up to 25,000 people, supporting many local businesses.

“Our charitable aims are to bring the countryside and urban areas closer together, promoting the best of conservation and food and farming.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure the show’s future and I fully support this application.”

About £200,000 will be made available to Lawford Parish Council to fund a new play area as part of the planning agreement.

The houses will be built on land between Bromley Road and Grange Road, and the developer will keep “extensive” parts of the park as gardens and parkland associated with the nearby Grade II-listed Lawford House.

The plans had been reduced from an original proposal of nine homes.