Building an arena

CanterAndBanters

CanterAndBanters

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Hi all,

I wondered if anyone has any tips on building an arena, preferably with no planning permission (we will be submitting this in 5 years time) but wanted to look at options for a "removable surface".

I have an area with amazing drainage and perfectly flat and want to use this as a riding area. I've seen people use wood chip etc.
 
There's another thread a bit lower on some opinions of wood chip. i haven't tried it.

I have read with interest about how you can slowly sprinkle rubber powder or crumb rubber over grass, so that the powder becomes incorporated in the soil crumb giving the grass strength and preventing it getting churned up. Apparently it also improves drainage. Ideally you do this slowly in batches to keep the grass growing and let it become part of the structure (maybe harrowing after application might help). I believe it's used on some sports fields. I've always wondered whether it might make a flat area of field more usable for riding (I do have an arena so haven't tried it but have sometimes considered trying it for an outdoor 40x20 dressage arena). I don't suppose you'd need planning permission as it would still appear to be grass and you haven't used any hardstanding, not sure whether there are environmental implications that would require planning consent.
 
Abacus said:
There's another thread a bit lower on some opinions of wood chip. i haven't tried it.

I have read with interest about how you can slowly sprinkle rubber powder or crumb rubber over grass, so that the powder becomes incorporated in the soil crumb giving the grass strength and preventing it getting churned up. Apparently it also improves drainage. Ideally you do this slowly in batches to keep the grass growing and let it become part of the structure (maybe harrowing after application might help). I believe it's used on some sports fields. I've always wondered whether it might make a flat area of field more usable for riding (I do have an arena so haven't tried it but have sometimes considered trying it for an outdoor 40x20 dressage arena). I don't suppose you'd need planning permission as it would still appear to be grass and you haven't used any hardstanding, not sure whether there are environmental implications that would require planning consent.
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I think there are, altho not sure exactly what, since rubber is natural, unlike plastic:
Our local authority rejected shredded /crumbed recycled rubber tyres onto degraded bridleways for ‘environmental reasons’ ( altho knowing them, possibly because mountain bikers thought it might slow them down a bit); and the national park rejected any use of mud mats on a short stretch because they could have unforeseen implications as they eventually degrade (so went for incredibly extensive excavation, limestone chippings base in a gritstone area, crush & run top, instead!)
 
Woodchip will turn to mush outside within a few years and be hard to lift, I definitely would steer clear. Honestly, in your position I would look at something like the rubber crumb mentioned above and see if it's feasible. If there's grass growing through it shouldn't attract the planners attention either. If you are putting any sort of ride on material down make sure the area is properly level, even a slight run in it, indistinguishable to the eye will risk any surface migrating and becoming uneven.
 
Woodchip is dangerous. Been there. Got the t-shirt. Rubber chip will be a huge no-no with the council if they find out as it contaminates the land, and you cant dispose of it when you want to build your permanent arena. Just school on grass till you can do this properly. And as mentioned above, if you havent already, you'll need to apply for change of use if youre riding in your field (even without an arena)
 
I had a 60m x 20m grass arena for 25 years and it worked really well. I had white boards and markers and moved the whole arena on a bit on a regular basis to keep fresh ground. I kept it mowed with a walk behind self propelled mower and never allowed the horses to be turned out on it.

It was for spring/summer/autumn use, not winter though. Schooled up to medium level on it.

I thought the arena was level, but to my surprise when we eventually put in a proper arena (with full planning etc) there was a circa 3 ft fall in height along the long side!
 
Just build it - the worst they can do is make you undo it and if you’ve not got lights or in an preservation area then they are likely to give retrospective… if you don’t fence it planning case law is very sketchy as to whether you need permission anyway.
 
blitznbobs said:
Just build it - the worst they can do is make you undo it and if you’ve not got lights or in an preservation area then they are likely to give retrospective… if you don’t fence it planning case law is very sketchy as to whether you need permission anyway.
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No, dont just build it. Its not worth the heartache when youre caught and dont get retrospective planning approval. Just follow the rules. (And you need planning approval if it isn't fenced)
 
The whole point of an arena is so you can ride in the bad weather all year round, in the wet winter, in the summer when ground is like concrete


I've built several, always used sand. The secret is to maintain it regularly, some have not had drainage, but still drained, some had only 5 inches of sand, the current one is 100 m x 35 m has drainage and a foot or more of sand but it was well rolled to compact it

The ones without drainage were on a slight9 slope with a firm base,

Never used a membrane
 
Muddywellies said:
Woodchip is dangerous. Been there. Got the t-shirt. Rubber chip will be a huge no-no with the council if they find out as it contaminates the land, and you cant dispose of it when you want to build your permanent arena. Just school on grass till you can do this properly. And as mentioned above, if you havent already, you'll need to apply for change of use if youre riding in your field (even without an arena)
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Why is it dangerous? I previously rode on woodchip arenas for years
 
CanterAndBanters said:
Why is it dangerous? I previously rode on woodchip arenas for years
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There’s another issue with spreading wood chippings, do make 100% sure you know what the chipped wood was. A friend accepted a couple of loads from a landscape gardener to pack out some boggy gateways, then discovered bits of laurel, yew, sycamore and oak in the mix. All had to be dug back out, raked up, almost impossible, so then she bought in a waggon of limestone chippings to totally smother the area.
 
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