TRIATHLETES are still confident plans for a base in Boreham will get approved - despite receiving a knockback on Monday night.

Boreham Parish Council’s planning committee objected to proposals from Trifarm who want to set up base on land just off Church Road.

With a vote of 3-1, the panel’s main concern was potential damage to the reservoir, inside a conservation area, which would be used for swimming.

This objection will now be passed onto Chelmsford Council who will make a final decision in the new year.

Despite the negative vote, Ruth Hatch from Trifarm said they will keep fighting.

She said: “It is disappointing but if us triathletes stopped at the first hurdle, we would never finish a triathlon.

“The main worries revolve around ecology issues, which is something we have always said we would work with the authorities in anyway.

“We do an outdoor sport because we love the outdoors so we would want to look after the lake and the way we would operate we feel would not cause any damage.”

The application is seeking permission for seasonal use of the land with the water being used for an 800m swimming route.

A 1km running track are also among the sporting facilities on site with cyclists able to use neighbouring roads to train.

Permission for car parking, two cabins for changing and admin purposes, portaloos, a storage container and a portable generator is also sought.

In July a previous application also made by Trifarm was rejected by a single vote by Chelmsford Council.

Temporary planning permission had been given for the site to be used for triathlon training with athletes using the centre between May and September.