Advice for location of stables.

[kit279]

I might be buying some land but it is (rather surprisingly for Cambridge) rather hilly. Ideally, I'd like to put some stables in and a preliminary chat with the local planning officer means that I'm now having to think about whereabouts to put the stable block.

The main grazing is hilly and the soil is a sort of chalky clay mix and drains very well. At the bottom of the hill, there is a small 1/2 acre area which is mostly clay and judging from the tyre tracks, it gets quite wet in the winter. This small area is flattish although it does have a slight slope so drains down to the road. Ideally this is where I'd like to put the stable block and maybe a manege later on if I get planning permission.

So, a couple of questions:-

1) Is it a huge mistake to put the stables at the lowest wettest point of the field? It has the best access and is closest to the road so putting in water and electricity is not too much of an issue.

2) If I build the stables on clay, do I need to put in special land drains to avoid getting subsidence?

3) What sort of company should I be looking for to advise on the suitability of the site? Do I need a surveyor or a stabling company? I'm likely to get the stables built professionally, as don't have the time or skill to get it right myself. Can anyone recommend a decent company in the East Anglia area?

And any other words of wisdom very welcome!

 

[BBH]

I would not put stables up on wet land tbh. If you have no choice I would get some advice from a drainage expert. It may be that you can dig a soakway before laying the foundations. IMO stable yards create enough water of their own with the general care of the horse so you don't want wet going on top of more wet.

I'm sure an expert will be along shortly though to give you better advice.

 

[BigRed]

I live in a heavy clay soil area. My stables are built on clay, because that is all we have. Obviously it's not ideal, but you have to deal with it.

Most people have a concrete slab laid for their yard and they put their timber stables on top of that, sitting on a brick course. There is no reason for it to subside if it is done properly. I did mine myself and I can assure you I have no cracks in it. I bought clean hardcore and bought my concrete from LaFarge, it is the proper Farmpave mix, which deals with urine and animals and "heavy" stuff, I think it is a strong mix with fibres.

You need to make sure that whoever lays your concrete makes sure it will be above any water level that may occur in the winter and be prepared to buy in enough hardcore to lay parking areas.

When you come to put a school in, the companies who do this know how to deal with clay. You will just have to have the school built on top of the clay, rather than dug into it.