Sand school - help!

[carolinewheatley77]

Hi, this is my first blog, so firstly hello. I do not have enough money to build a sand school but the area where we rent our fields is very sandy and literally 6 inches below the grass level in one corner of one of the fields, we hit sand. I wanted to know whether I would need planning permission to take the top level off, if this constituted planning. We would not bring in any other material nor add any additional fencing. Has anyone else had experience of this kind? I know it won't be ideal all the time, especially in the winter when it might be hard, but better than grass. I would appreciate any knowledge in this area? Caroline

 

[Shoei]

Hi and Welcome,

I think there is a lot to consider with this.

How deep is the sand below the surface? How adequate is the drainage? Is it stony?

But more importantly... would the land owner be happy for you to dig up his/her field?

Personally, I would fence or section of an area of the paddoc and make sure this is tended and aerated and use this as a schooling area. A well draining (and if you are on sand this should be), well maintained grass area is far better than a boggy/deep sand school IMO and I don't think you would need planning.

 

[carolinewheatley77]

Thank you Shoei. We live in a very sandy area, not stony at all - Hankley Common, Frensham Common if you know this area near Farnham, so the sand will be quite deep I suspect but we haven't especially investigated this. We have spoken already to the landowner and they have said they have no problem as long as there is no problem with permission. We also did contact the Council who said they didn't know and we ought to apply for permission just in case (ergo you have to pay for a submission! Which, of course, I won't do if I can find out by other means that I won't have a problem.