Anyone with planning regs knowledge - advice please

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Dreckly

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A little information on planning regs would be greatly appreciated from those in the know.

We have a farm bordering our house, and it appears that the farmer in question may have sold a piece of a field which directly borders our boundary, possibly to our nearest neighbour. We are not on wonderful terms with this person so getting information on his plans may be difficult, but if rumours are correct he will only be grazing a pony on it for his daughter.

Two questions, am I right in thinking that he needs planning permission to change use from agricultural to grazing. Also, are there are restrictions on the types and height of fencing that he can use to border his land. There is also a public footpath that runs through it so he will have to give access to this.

It is a shame because we did tell the farmer when we moved in that we were interested in this but at the time he was not selling - just wish we had known sooner.
 
You do not need change of use for grazing, but you do need pp for any stables, menage, etc. although the mobile field shelters maybe don't need permission.
The owner of the field is responsible for fencing IN their animals, otherwise known as a stock-proof fence. I don't know of any rules regarding height.

"Good fences make good neighbours."
 
Orangehorse is right, no need to change of use,unless they put in planning for stables , then I think have to do Equestrian use ,which is rateable and with restrictons.
 
In case it's only a 'xxx says he is going to buy yyy's field' rumour, I'd still get in touch with the farmer and see if he's now thinking of selling (as oppposed to having actually sold). You might gazzump your neighbour :0) !
 
We recently applied for planning permission to put a barn up in one of our fields and were told in no uncertain terms that the field should have had change of use to equestrian from when horses first went in it. I think a blind eye is probably turned until you want to do something else but IMHO it is incorrect to say you don't need change of use!
 
Thanks everyone for your comments. It has been confirmed to me today that the sale has gone through (not a happy bunny), but we are none the wiser as to his intentions. I may call the planning office for a little information naming no names next week.
 
WRONG! You do need change of use from agricultural to Equestrian even if it is just for grazing. The only time you do not need change of use is if the horses are not for recreational use and not fed, for meat or for breading. As the horse is for recreational purposes and presumably being fed then it will require change of use.
 
If the rumours are correct and he only grazes a pony what are you going to gain by contacting planning? I can understand you are peeved the farmer didn't sell to you but since this person is now your neighbour it may be prudent to sit tight and not stir things too much as it can be very easy for things to escalate (they will no doubt suss it was you who contacted planning if relations between you are not good), you can make things difficult for him but he can also do the same for you. (sorry, boring sensible hat is on!) If he has any other plans for the land he will need planning and as a neighbour you will be contacted by your local council anyway then you can have your say.
 
In theory yes he does need PP for equestrian on agric land but tbh he could get some sheep in and then horses might be' incidental' to that, or might get the pp quite easily, theyre not allowed to refuse apps just cos theyre retrospective, they have to judge them the same as if made originally. More to the point, even if you dont get on why would you dob him in for something that presumably doesnt really hurt/affect you, as the one who hasnt sold you the land isnt him?

if he does something bad that does affect you, sure, report him but does having horses grazing next door really do that? just cos you can, doesnt mean its a nice thing to do? otherwise how are you better than them if you see what I mean?
 
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