Building a menage

[erg4862]

Hi, so fed up of this weather and ground being too wet to ride we have decided to bite the bullet and build a school. Problem is we are unlikely to get planning permission where the yard is. Is there any way of building a school without having to get planning permission and dig down? It's on a gentle slope where we would put it and the ground drainage is fantastic in the fields. Any ideas would bed great, my horse is rather loopy when I can only ride once a week!

 

[niagaraduval]

Hi,

There are loads of thready concerning building arenas. If you could you a quick search I'm sure you will find all the answers you are looking for.

-Niagaraduval

 

[erg4862]

all the threads I have found talk about planning permission though

 

[showjump]

I doubt there is a way to build one without p.p im affraid. Try doing a google search?

 

[Booboos]

You can't really do it without PP (well you can but if they notice, which they will because they look at aerial photos all the time, they can make you take it out and pay a fine), but why do you think you won't get it? I would approach the planners and find out what concerns they have and see if you can accommodate them. For example, a school without a fence has a much lower profile, so can't be seen from the road, etc. Some planners won't accept some surfaces because of what they look like, e.g. black rubber, but are happy with other surfaces, e.g. sand or you can now get coloured rubber. A good way of dealing with planners is to hire a planning consultant who can advise you on how best to approach the problem and can negotiate on your behalf (these guys are usually former planners themselves and have all the contacts). Obviously this does cost, but it may be worth it if it gets you planning.

You mention a couple of other things:
- digging down: you can't really do an arena without digging down as you need to clear the topsoil (which retains water), get down to subsoil and backfill with clear hardcore to make sure it all drains. Otherwise you risk loosing all the surface after the first wet season or creating a swimming pool!
- unlevel field: although an arena does require a gentle fall to ensure the water drains, this is so small that you can't really see it with the naked eye. If your fields are slopping you can't really do the arena at an incline - you will feel it when you ride and you risk injury to the horses. Levelling out the area is the first job but if you have a lot of soil to take out this will also have cost implications.

 

[PeterNatt]

Provided you don't ask for flood lighting you should easily get planning permission. Instruct a practice of local surveyors to apply for you. Should be no problem at all.