Using a paddock for schooling

MissTyc

MissTyc

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 June 2010
Messages
3,791
Location
South East
Visit site
Have a long lease on some farmland with equestrian grazing use.

Have been using a paddock to ride in for 15 years. For 15 years I have had coloured jumps in this paddock, barrels, wings, fillers, etc. the paddock is *also* used for grazing. On average the "school" is in use as a riding area for about 6 hours per week (across all liveries).

Have moved it 50m to a flatter part of land, put up new tall electric fencing off wooden posts, nice new gates .... and -Complaint from a local resident about change of use of grazing areas. Council visited today and were very nice but essentially said we're not to ride in this area. Now I do understand change of use regulations, etc etc etc, but the land is STILL grazing land, there is no surface, no permanent fencing (which I also understand is not allowed without PP), just a paddock that we sometimes ride around in circles. There's not even any jumps in there (yet!) ...

I guess my question is what can they do?
It would be annoying, but possible I suppose, to move the new fencing to the old section of field where we've been riding for 15 years ... but in essence it's all the same field (and in fact we have often set up jumps over the wider area in the summer).
Or continue riding our 5-6 (max!) hours a week in this paddock while continuing to graze it. When council visited it was calm, quiet, empty - like it is 99% of the time!
Seems unfair, so many people ride in a paddock. There's nothing special about this paddock, doesn't even have any letters up! Just new electric tape and new gate and somehow this has triggers mass panic. The council guy specifically mentioned the gate ... I told him the gate was so my laminitics wouldn't escape their minimalistic enclosure lol.

Just to add that farmer is more than happy with the care of his land and over the years we have put up stables (with full PP obviously), etc.
 
I have no idea why someone would be bothered unless you are riding past their window/garden, and yet people still complain, just because they can...

I ride in my field, always have done. This one is not really overlooked by many people other than a footpath but when I had a field next to a main road people did comment. Not complaining just saying that someone else might, so I would tend to stay over the other side.

If you know people are on the lookout I definitely wouldn't put any jumps or markers up :-( not sure what they can do about it exactly though, I'm sure someone will know more.
 
Who's complained? Did you say you have change of use for equestrian use? Yes, they can be arsy, you can graze your horses but not ride them.

Has someone got it in for you and has reported you? It's so blinking petty.
 
Would imagine it's a "concerned" local resident who is imaging my muddy field will turn into a competition stud riding school shop dealer gypsy site ...

The huge irony? When I first took on the field, I actually had gypsies move in onto it overnight. Perhaps I could invite them back for a few months to see if the local residents would rather have them as opposed to an empty paddock that is occasionally used for riding circles.

As said, council were pleasant enough, but I feel a bit gutted as was looking forward to having a few lessons at home (always have to travel the horses for lessons) this summer and now feel I shouldn't in case it makes too much noise (i.e. someone speaking) or makes us look like a riding school.

I guess, at worst I continue being polite and nice and poo picking (I even poo pick the main (B) road for 100m before and after our yard, despite it being used by 5 other local yards - very busy horse area - but I just think it's nice on everyone if kept tidy). And if the council give us an official order to STOP riding in the field, then I will have to review ... and plant some horrid invasive plant in front of all the nearby cottages as a punishment. (I think I know which one would complain - he complained about a loose dog to me once. I explained it wasn't from the yard, it had escaped from nearby house and I had in fact already called dog warden twice as it chases horses - he huffed and got very angry at me saying I needed to remove it as it had been in his garden. I explained once again it wasn't mine or anyone's that I knew and he said OK in that case I needed to make sure it was kept secure in the future ... Obtuse or what!)
 
Slightly Foxed said:
Who's complained? Did you say you have change of use for equestrian use? Yes, they can be arsy, you can graze your horses but not ride them.

Has someone got it in for you and has reported you? It's so blinking petty.
Click to expand...

I assume someone just doesn't like it. Never had any real problems with anyone of our neighbours. Yes the land is all equestrian use and has had between 20-30 horses on it for about 40 years, the last 15 years with me. In this time we have always ridden in the field and have added three small stable blocks (2x 2 stables and 1x 3 stables), a hay barn and some storage (all with full planning permission from council - jumped through hoops for that!). It is very much horsie land in the middle of horsie country!
 
Who ever complained has obviously got too much time on their hands.:) You are lucky you can ride in your paddock, tried a bit of schooling with my cob in the field last week and he exploded, won't be trying that again in a hurry.:eek:
 
Frankly I would carry on regardless. Some folk will complain about feathers on the floor when they get to heaven!!!

Edited to add, I think there may be some clause somewhere about "Custom & Practice" Something to do with a 12 year rule. Might be worth a bit of investigation.
 
Crugeran Celt said:
Who ever complained has obviously got too much time on their hands.:) You are lucky you can ride in your paddock, tried a bit of schooling with my cob in the field last week and he exploded, won't be trying that again in a hurry.:eek:
Click to expand...

Haha! Mine are always the calmest out eventing as they think a big grass area is perfectly normal schooling territory ;). I was just looking forward to riding in a flat place without big puddles off the hill - this is what prompted the move. Wish I hadn't bothered now but it was a bit of a faff so moving 20x40 worth of fencing back again is not my ideal situation right now (boinged in all the poles myself a few months ago - still feel I'll never be able to lift a cuppa again!)
 
Suelin said:
Frankly I would carry on regardless. Some folk will complain about feathers on the floor when they get to heaven!!!

Edited to add, I think there may be some clause somewhere about "Custom & Practice" Something to do with a 12 year rule. Might be worth a bit of investigation.
Click to expand...

This is the route to go as my horse dealer neighbour thought I had complained about her stables (hadn't why would I be interested:cool:) so she complained to the council about my manage lights that the prev owner installed (prize if you are still following this:D) anyway council man said it had all been happening so long and lights in so long that it was now all legal and he sent me a letter to that effect. Thanks so much nasty neighbour:D
 
Suelin said:
Frankly I would carry on regardless. Some folk will complain about feathers on the floor when they get to heaven!!!

Edited to add, I think there may be some clause somewhere about "Custom & Practice" Something to do with a 12 year rule. Might be worth a bit of investigation.
Click to expand...

Yes there is a rule it you have done something for a length of time without it being stopped you gain the right to do it.
I don't know how many years it is get googling and see if you can find out also I don't think it needs to be you I think if others used the field for that purpose it counts as well.
Good luck I hope you can sort it out .
 
I would be looking at planting some fast growing, thick high hedge-type trees and bushes to "give more shade and protection to the horses" and provide a bit of a screen!

Scarey! One of our fields, the one I ride in in summer, is full of jumps and cones etc. Sometimes dressage boards too. At the moment, because of the wind and sheep scratching, it looks like my jumps have exploded and been flung all over the place, thank god my neighbours are nice!
 
If you already have permission for stables, I think that means you already have implicit permission to ride on the land which was mentioned in the planning permission, as it has been approved for equine use. Why not have a quick word with an equine planning consultant- it won't cost much if anything and I think you'll be surprised what the council aren't able to comment on. For instance, I don't believe that they are able to tell you to take down fencing or gates which are necessary for the welfare/safety of your stock (horses), unless the gates form a new entrance onto the highway or are of a certain height. Also I'm sure the others are right in saying that if you've been doing something without harm for 15 years, they'd be hard pushed to turn you down, even if you did put in for planning retrospectively. Council staff aren't always right- they keep sacking the ones who actually know their stuff to save costs- so in many cases they are just not in touch with the law. I would definitely check with an equine planning consultant.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top