Building New Stables - Tips/EXCITED!

[Gypley]

So after letting our two beasties winter out in 2 paddocks of 2 acres per paddock, I am at my wits end!
The mud pit and taken numerous pairs of wellies hostage, Ive mercilessly fort mud fever, poo picked in the dark under the light of my tempremental head torch, recoved hay numerous times in one day after the wind blows off the tarps, tacked up in gail force winds/hail/blizzards/monsoons and ive HAD ENOUGH!
So this spring, we are investing in two stables, with these new fangle things called 'lights' and maybe if were lucky (and I can sweet talk my OH into slightly downgrading this years holiday) some hardstanding too!
We currently have a small , tatty field shelter/stable which we have split in half and are using as a field shelter and feed store. We have no hard standing and these have been known to flood.
The plan is, to use this as a hay store/ feed room and erect two shiny new stables. Now the whole idea of this is making me very excited, im currently looking at ride through archways, with clock towers, solariums, wash down boxes and other things that a girl can only dream of. But what I would like are your experiences of building new. Was there anything you scrimped on, but in hindsight really wish you spent a little extra on? what base did you lay, inc size and cost? Did the stable company complete the groundoworks? How did you tackle drainage? Plus anything else that may be usefull when planning new stables!
Also any pictures would be appreciated

 

[Buzzybee11]

Drainage and good groundworks are key, our stables were built on the side of a fell so alot of levelling had to be done (there is not a 20ft bank!) A local farmer did ours who has alot of equipment and is very knowledgeable, it took a while but the finished job was amazing. We have a large barn with 4 stables and a tack room inside with windows looking out and a hay/storage section on the end. Cutting costs may seem like a good idea but in the long run it will just end up costing you more so be very careful. Good luck

 

[WelshD]

Brilliant, I love my stables and they have been invaluable in this weather

Mine have a really good overhang which is great

They only have a strip of concrete in front though which has been a pain so press for that hardstanding if you can

Planning permission will be your biggest problem I think though

 

[Gypley]

Planning permission will be your biggest problem I think though

I thought this too, so I think im going to have to go down the mobile route, which I believe is slightly more expensive and also not as pretty (BOO!) Can you still lay hardstaning without planning permission? Appoligies if this is a daft question !

 

[Buzzybee11]

If the field shelter is on hard standing you need planning permission as it is classed as unportable...stupid rules! You may get away with it depending on how nosy your neighbours are and if you are willing to take the risk, we also had a fieldshelter and it leaked like hell so be careful to choose one with good reviews and a decent gutter!

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I thought this too, so I think im going to have to go down the mobile route, which I believe is slightly more expensive and also not as pretty (BOO!) Can you still lay hardstaning without planning permission? Appoligies if this is a daft question !

Anything that requires groundworks ie substantial digging out or bringing in any materials that dont just rot down and cant be lifted immediately without machinery is likely to be classified as requiring planning permission, so strictly that means no hardcore, no concrete and stables have to be not only moveable, but in some strict area, actually moved, sometimes as much as once a month and some places arent allowed to go back to the same place.....

So unless you want something not much different to your field shelter, it will definitely need planning permission (and even if you think all your neighbours love you and you have no enemies, people even complete strangers often will report things like this just for something 'to do').

Personally I would go down the planning route unless your council is renowned for never ever saying yes. Not only does it give peace of mind (esp if you ever need to sell) but it also means you can put in proper drainage and proper base. Stables will last far longer, far outweighing the planning costs.

One alternative, if the land is agricultural land (which it will be unless classed as garden or equestrian planning was applied for), then if you have trouble with planning issues for stables, you could then instead apply to build a small hay barn. More likely to be passed than something horsey and you could then upgrade your existing shelter/stables by adding electricity. Doesnt get round the solid base issue but if it seems a dead end it might be better than what you have.

If you do end up doing solid based stables, the costs will be almost entirely determined by (i) slope of site (ii) drainage requirements. If you can find a level site (with easy access for the stable people) with good draining ground then the groundworks costs can be 5x less than if you have sloping and/or wet site.

Normally you have to organised groundworks tho stable cos can often recommend someone if you are local to them.

NB do if you can use poured readymix tanker concrete rather than mixing it up in small batches in cement mixer - it will last longer, tho you might not be using enough to make that an option.. Also you can get anti urine acid additiive and anti frost additive to go in the concrete - well worth it.

good luck!

 

[Suelin]

Nothing much to add to the excellent advice above except to say that I would have more stables/shelters than you think you will need. We really only use 2 but bought a block of 4 with tack/feed/hay stores etc. It doesn't cost double the amount of money to have double the buildings and although we thought we didn't need the space, by 'eck we do use it now. Also from an investment point of view it makes better sense should you ever want to sell.

Good luck with it all.

Here are ours

A week after we built them. We went for full planning which was quite simple and allowed us to do it properly.

 

[pottamus]

I really would not recommend going down the mobile stable route without planning...basically you can only drop the unit on the earth and can have no hard standing in or out of the stables.
I have been in this situation for the last 8 years but each year, the mud and unstable ground has got more and more difficult. This year I am in a right mess outside his stable due to the mud...it is now dangerous. I have also had to manage with an uneven floor in the stable which makes mucking out tricky as the bedding is constantly shoved under the rubber mats I put down.
Yes, I accept they have served me well for several years and meant I could stable my lad at night throughout the year, but even my OH has now admitted defeat and we will be putting in for planning this spring for stables on a concrete base.

 

[LynH]

I have two mobile stables which have been fine until the recent heavy rain. I had mats with a bed on top but this is soaked through with a mud pit out front.
Our land and next doors were both classed as agricultural so our neighbours built two stables on concrete in their garden without planning permission. I wanted a 20x40 arena so had to apply for planning and also applied for something a little larger rather than just a couple of boxes in the garden so we applied for 3 stables, tackroom, haybarn and a covered walkway. We had to request a change of use to equestrian too.
The stable company supplied the relevant drawings and I completed the application. It took exactly 8 weeks and we have approval for all the above plus a static 7.2x7.2m field shelter.
It is such a relief to have the proper permission and having a concrete yard will be invaluable after this year of flooding mobile shelters and mud everywhere.
The council were really helpful when I rang for advice prior to submitting the application so it may be worth a call just to see whether you should apply for planning. We haven't built yet as our permission only came through before Xmas so no advice re building etc.