STABLES, YARDS & PADDOCKS
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lanning consultant Angela Cantrill of The Rural Planning Company shares her insider knowledge on planning considerations for personal yard owners and its all in the preparation and planning. Know your local planning authority Different planning authorities have widely varying attitudes. They all broadly work to the National Planning Policy Framework, but interpretations can differ. Whether proposing a small manage or possible larger development find out about your local authorities’ attitude to that kind of development by looking at similar applications in the area and planning policy. Some may be very open to equestrian proposals others may not, due to certain designations, for example the green belt. In some instances, it may be worthwhile talking to the local planning authority before a formal planning application. The need for planning permission Planning permission is not generally required for the grazing of horses on agricultural land however if any other equestrian activities on this land such as use for exercise or training, the breeding of horses (in the case of a stud farm), racing stables or the erection of stables, indoor outdoor riding areas and manages, permanent jumps, gallops, lighting columns, hard standing and other permanent structures related to the equestrian activity will require planning permission.
By Angela Cantrill
PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
For Yard Owners The conversion of farm buildings to equestrian use also requires planning consent. There is a right to use land or buildings within the curtilage of a dwelling house for any purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house and stables and other horse-related developments must conform to certain limitations.
Mobile field shelters Local planning authorities generally accept that one mobile field shelter per field may be required provided it is moved regularly to new locations in the field to demonstrate that it is mobile. As mentioned earlier the
grazing of horses on agricultural land does not require planning consent, however ‘to keep’ horses usually does, and therefore keeping horses can be controlled by conditions of a planning permission. It will depend to what degree the structure is ‘attached’ to the land which will determine whether the structure requires planning permission. Temporary uses of land The use of land for a temporary purpose is permitted for between 14 and 28 days in any calendar year depending on the activity (the period is reduced to Continued overleaf...
ANGELA CANTRILL IS A CHARTERED SURVEYOR AND PLANNING CONSULTANT AT THE RURAL PLANNING CONSULTANCY, ONE OF HER SPECIALISMS IS PLANNING FOR EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES. 37
