Arena design/plans service (without build)

[TGM]

Wondering whether there are firms that offer a service to design and draw up plans for an arena, but without wanting to do the build as well? The site for our proposed school is not totally level so will need a bit of cut and fill, and I don't think I'm up to drawing the plans myself, but we want to actually do the build ourselves.

Does this service exist and if so can anyone recommend such firms in the South East?

 

[LynH]

I can't help with recommendations but I've just had an arena built with a small amount of cut and fill. I didn't mention this at all in the planning permission and not was I ask. I sent a plan of the site with the arena drawn on and the standard construction picture of the different construction levels and materials/fencing. I didn't enclose any pictures of how the site would look.
The stable company I used drew the stables and just added the arena to the site plan, the application and design and access statement I did myself. If you want I can send you the link to my planning application. What I did was search for planning application of similar builds that were approved in my area and follow them as a guide. I can point you to my neighbour's application which was solely for an arena and did include a couple of view type drawings.
I'm also in the South East (Guildford Borough Council) if that helps.

 

[TGM]

Thank you for your helpful reply. I have actually already searched our District Council's planning site for similar applications which has been quite useful research! We are in an AONB and looking at applications in similar locations the Council did seem to be particularly interested in the amount of cut and fill and any changes in level, so I'm not sure I'll get away with plans that don't show that. Am intending to talk to the planning staff before we submit plans anyway so I suppose I can check with them exactly how much detail they need.

 

[Nicnac]

I just hired an architect to draw up my plans. He wasn't specialist but had access to other examples.

I had a good 9 foot difference between start and finish of manege area which required RSJ's but plans didn't include this - council seemed more interested in the fact that the arena wouldn't damage any drains (which also run under this particular paddock) and any proposed lighting.

I am Tonbridge & Malling district council.

 

[case895]

I am currently using an equestrian planning specialist to design my barn and school and do the planning application.

The detailed groundworks design will be done by my drainage contractor who has done schools before. He has a novel approach to school foundations which uncompacted tarmac scrapings instead of a membrane to improve the drainage and make it almost maintenance-free.

 

[Honey08]

I am currently using an equestrian planning specialist to design my barn and school and do the planning application.

The detailed groundworks design will be done by my drainage contractor who has done schools before. He has a novel approach to school foundations which uncompacted tarmac scrapings instead of a membrane to improve the drainage and make it almost maintenance-free.

Would you let us know how that works and copes with usage and weather. its very interesting.

We have had a chippings on top of hardcore area for winter turnout for two years now, and it has drained fantastically well, barely had puddles for long even in this wet year and being on top of very wet boggy clay ground...

 

[TGM]

Thank you everyone - all very helpful.

 

[case895]

Would you let us know how that works and copes with usage and weather. its very interesting.

We have had a chippings on top of hardcore area for winter turnout for two years now, and it has drained fantastically well, barely had puddles for long even in this wet year and being on top of very wet boggy clay ground...

I went to visit a school with this construction near here one evening during the recent monsoon season. The top was slightly moist. Meanwhile, my stables 2 miles away were under water. They do very little maintenance as there is no settlement and no membrane to degrade.