How much value would an arena add to a field?

[Ali27]

We have a 5 acre field with 3 stables and a hay barn in a very horsey area with pretty good hacking. Will be selling field within next 2-5 years so trying to work out if it’s worth having a 20x40 arena built and how much value it would add to the field? I have an arena up road that I can hire so can make do without but thinking it might be nice to have especially if we can get money back on it when selling field! Any thoughts would be much appreciated Thanks in advance

 

[TheMule]

I would ask a local land agent their opinion. It may be worth getting the planning permission, even if you don’t build it yourself

 

[Tiddlypom]

Very likely worth getting planning permission before you sell even if you don't go on to get the arena constructed yourself. There is a time limit for the works to start, though, which IIRC is 5 years post permission being granted, but check that.

 

[Kaylum]

Have you seen how much a good arena costs to construct and the price of materials? You need to get a valuation of what you have first I think.

 

[Landcruiser]

You also limit your market, it's quite possible someone with non equine interests might be put off by an arena.

 

[ycbm]

You also limit your market, it's quite possible someone with non equine interests might be put off by an arena.

I was thinking that even folk who want an arena might be put off by not knowing how good your construction of the base was or not liking the surface you chose to put on it and being faced with stripping it to change it, or wanting a 25x45 when you installed a standard 20x40.

I think it's a great idea to have planning consent, but not to build it.
.

 

[millitiger]

Apparently an arena doesn't add a great deal of value but can aid saleability (if well constructed with good service).

That's what a local agent told me anyway (I still put mine in but use it 4 x week so worth it)..

 

[Polos Mum]

Worth a chat with an agent. A nice arena is expensive and a bad arena a negative to value.

When we sold our horsey home 8 years ago (12 acres, stables, hay barn and family home) in v horsey area, we had lots of people ask how expensive it would be to dig up and get rid of / turn drainage into tennis court !

I was astounded, about 50% of viewings thought it was a negative.

 

[Goldenstar]

It could well attract a rates bill and hassle for the new owner .I think Planning permission will add value and not need to much financial outlay and won’t put some buyers off .

 

[Quigleyandme]

I had a well constructed 20x40 metre sand arena built at home two years ago. I live in Ireland so no costly agent or planning permission required. It cost €20,000 without fencing. That is being installed shortly, black, 3 rail recycled PVC, at a cost of €5,000 plus installation. The excavation literally covered a large part of a three acre field in mountains of soil which then had to be spread, tilled and reseeded so my horses couldn’t graze that field for some time and it’s still rather fragile as the grass needs three years to knit together to form a tight, hoof resilient sword. The quarry trucks bringing the stone and sand are extremely heavy so will need a suitable solid surface to drive on and there will be multiple drops. The trucks absolutely crumbled the admittedly quite thin concrete silage slab they turned on and left ruts in the newly laid and compacted gravel yard that fill with rain water. Then there will be other expenses like an arena harrow, a quad or similar to tow it and maybe lighting if you work and want to use it in winter. I should think the addition of a rubber or fibre surface and lighting would give the planning department the vapours. I tow my harrow (made by my brilliant handyman for €350 but you could expect to pay a lot more retail) with my Jeep Renegade but had to get a road legal tow bar fitted which was €645 and I have to do the corners and short sides by hand with a Dutch hoe and garden rake because the turning circle isn’t as good as a quad. I also seem to spend a lot of time pulling weeds. I hadn’t expected it’s determination to return to nature without diligent attention. I love my arena but it is a huge project if done properly and if not they are usually a massive heartache.

 

[Ali27]

Thank you everyone for your replies! Very much appreciated I’ve definitely decided not to bother with an arena after all your advice Might look at getting PP for one though in the next year. I’ve got a flat area in field which I’ve fenced off for doing groundwork with baby pony and will make do with hiring arena next door as and when needed with my ridden pony.