Do I Need Planning Permission for Stables and Field Shelters?
Whether you just plan to extend your existing stables or build from scratch, The first step is to ascertain whether planning permission will be required?
In many cases planning permission will be required, however, there are circumstances where permission may be exempt, including if you plan to build in the curtilage of your garden, it is quite likely that you will have permitted development rights which allows buildings subject to some siting and size restrictions Ashcraft Equestrian Buildings personnel can assess your situation and advise you accordingly.
Planning Permission for stables and field shelters is not a quick process. The Local Planning Authority have eight weeks to decide on each application, if required the LPA can seek an extension of this maybe as much as a further 8 weeks. Your LPA can advise of local time frames.
Hopefully permission will be granted, however if not, all is not lost there is an appeals process which allows you and the LPA to submit reasons for and against to an appeals officer to decide.
The first steps in gaining planning are to choose a team, here at Ashcraft our personnel can prepare and complete the necessary drawings and forms required to submit an application. It is prudent to contact the local planning officer and discuss your proposals, they may request a pre application meeting where you can show them your drawings for their comments, if necessary, you can compromise your plans to accommodate any suggestions of the officers.
At some point it is worth contacting your neighbours, with your proposals, you may be able to address any concerns they may have at this stage, better to have them on side than negative comments against the application.
What happens now?
You have submitted your drawings and forms and paid the fee, The application is reviewed and validated by the LPA on receipt to ensure all drawings, forms and fees submitted are correct. You will be notified of any errors.
The LPA will now consult with various bodies including, Environmental agency, water authorities, highways, and parish councils for their comments. They will notify your neighbors and erect a sign at the site letting people know what the proposal is and where they can comment, this will include their website which will have copies of your drawings for public viewing.
The officer will carry out a site visit.
The planning department may prepare a report for the planning committee, which is made up of elected councillors. Or the LPA may give a senior officer in the planning department the responsibility for deciding your application on its behalf.
You will be notified officially by letter of the outcome of the application.
Planning permission for a mobile field shelter
At the start of the 21st Century an appeal against a mobile field shelter was allowed, there are certain criteria that should be adhered to.
Briefly
The land should be used only for grazing, (a hay crop is permitted) not for riding, so shouldn’t have jumps, or other equipment on the land. It is expected the horses are removed from the land prior to riding.
It is accepted that the size of structures is such that delivery to the field may be flat pack.
Temporary doors may be fitted but these must be of a removable variety.
The shelter must be capable of being moved location this is best via a sled system.
The land which the shelter is on must not be made up, it is not permissible to prepare any base works. Rubber matting may be used as this is easily removed.
For further clarity please Call Ashcraft 01480 47 20 20
Would I need planning permission to put horses in a field?
Many people are surprised to learn that you would need planning permission to use an agricultural field for the purpose of keeping a horse! even if you are not planning to keep any buildings on it.
An Agricultural Field can be one used for grazing, breeding, or keeping livestock amongst the traditional uses.
Grazing, the horses should not have any supplementary feed (a mobile shelter would be permitted)
Breeding, the horses should not be used recreationally.
The reason Planning permission would be required you are changing the field from an agriculture usage to one of a recreational purpose.
Ultimately, we recommend contacting your local Planning Authority prior to carrying out any changes or development to your land. If you have already started using the land or built buildings, you can still apply retrospectively for planning permission. This will be treated on its merits as though the use or buildings hadn’t been established in a completely unbiased manor.