Planning for stables

[Ali27]

So we are in the process of buying a 4.5 acre field and just about to put in planning for a stable block. Any tips on how to submit plans? A friend of mine drew plans using word but I have absolutely no clue!

 

[Fred66]

Talk to the planning officer early on in the process. Find out whether there is any chance of permission or not, then make your decision accordingly.

 

[TGM]

Are you building them yourselves or using a stable construction company? If the latter, then they will often do your plans for you as part of the service. Otherwise you could draw them yourselves in the old fashioned way with a pencil and paper, but you will need to know what you are doing. Might be worth paying someone to do them properly if you are unsure.

Worth looking on your Council's planning application search for recent applications for stable blocks to see the sort of plans that are required. It will also give you an idea of what gets accepted and what doesn't. Where your stables are located on your plot can make a difference to whether they are accepted or not. So wise to do your homework first. If you are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a Conservation Area or a National Park then the rules will be more strict than in unclassified areas.

 

[Melody Grey]

Think about whether any neighbouring fields (if there are any?!) have set a precedent with stables/ buildings of their own. More likely to get planning permission if so. Make sure the field is suitable for equine use- if it’s not or has an agricultural tie for example, you might have to work around that.

 

[Muddywellies]

The company supplying the stables can do it for you (for a fee). It's a minefield so best left to someone who knows how to do it, and present your application in such a way to increase the chances of it being approved. Wording the application in the wrong or right way can have a huge bearing on whether the application is approved or not.

 

[The Bouncing Bog Trotter]

Use a planning consultant, it won't be cheap but they will know your planning authority, will know how to write an application and will give you a better chance of success. I am not sure where you are, but if you are in the South East I am happy to recommend one by PM.

 

[Tiddlypom]

We've done it ourselves using drawings supplied by the stable manufacturers. It went through pretty smoothly, but there were already old tumbledown stables on site which the new ones were to replace.

The planners were helpful, but were very particular about the exact siteing of the new stables.

Unless you are pretty sure that it will be plain sailing, I do recommend using a specialist planning consultant. Charles Britton did our arena plans, they knew exactly how to best present the application - also went through without a hitch.

 

[rextherobber]

Seconding what TBBT says, use a planning consultant! It is obviously possible to do it all yourself, but I would recommend using a P C , particularly if you are in a National Park or anywhere like that. Also, if you are having wooden stables, the brickwork will be done from the plans, so it needs to be spot on. Best of luck, it's wonderful when it's finished!

 

[Ali27]

Thank you everyone for all the good advice! My friend has just bought field opposite and got planning for stables. He did plans himself but it looks a bit complicated to me! Also to the side of the field, there are paddocks with horses so fingers crossed that it won’t be a problem.

 

[Merry neddy man]

It's simple, ask your friend to plan yours.

 

[Ali27]

It's simple, ask your friend to plan yours.

Haha! I’m pinching all his other stuff but he is having a small barn but I’m having a combination block - two stables, field shelter and tack room.

 

[PeterNatt]

I would strongly recommend using a Planning Consultant or a local surveyor that routinely deals with the planning department of your local authority.

 

[Illtellyoulater]

The muck heap situation and its disposal needs consideration. Trailer not a heap worked in my application.

I did employ a planning consultant who was good, but I also read historical planning applications for stables in the same area and addressed all the concerns raised in those when I submitted mine. The planning consultant knew the local planning office, but not all the equine ins and outs, so reading all the comments on previous applications made locally was really helpful for us to preempt any issues

Good luck!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Getting genned up by looking at recent local PP applications for stabling is good. It'll give you an idea what to include in your application.

My local planners didn't ask about the muck heap, but they wouldn't let me site a field shelter backing onto a hedge by the road as that would 'dominate' the site- it had to be set much further back and higher up in the field where it dominates the site much more.

They were very bothered about how close any new build would be to trees - I had to mark out every tree on our 7 acres on the application. Some planners can be funny if you need to temporarily widen a gateway to allow access for the construction vehicles, even if you fully reinstate it/replant any hedging afterwards.

We got permission for a sand and rubber surface for the arena without a quibble, whereas other areas won't allow rubber.

Good luck.

 

[Dasher66]

If you draw the red line boundary tightly round where the buildings/development areas are you may not have to provide tree reports.