Being based in the South West, there’s lots of scope in the area for outdoor sports to be enjoyed here. Horse riding is certainly a popular one, and if you’re looking to, or already own your own horse, you will, of course, need a place for your beloved horse to live when you aren’t riding together.
But before you go and get to work on having a plush paradise for your equine companion, one big question looms; do I need planning permission for a stable?
The good news is that, as a general rule, planners have the view that owning and keeping a horse is a hobby, therefore considering it less of a planning issue than that of the commercial equestrian route. As such, if you plan to keep your horse predominantly for personal leisure, as opposed to making a profit in business activity terms then planning is ordinarily much more straightforward, in most cases.
Planning consent can still be required, even if you fall into the bracket of a pet horse’s stable. So help you with some of the main questions that arise, we’ve compiled some regular situations that owners have which might help you.
Scenario 1: What if I possess lots of room directly adjacent to my house but don’t yet have an existing dwelling built for my horse?
You may be allowed to build sheds and buildings under permitted development, meaning you must notify the council but do not need conventional planning permission. There are several requirements you must meet to be eligible for permitted development, but should you meet these requirements it may be possible to build an outbuilding with the view to convert it into a stable. It’s certainly advisable that you check with the local planning authority that your plans for the erection of a stable adhere to any permitted development criteria.
The terms include the following:
• Height
• Size
• Location (in relation to public highways and other buildings)
If the plans are suitable, you will need to check that use is categorised as incidental to the dwelling-house.
Scenario 2: I have a detached garage in my garden and want to adapt this for stable use.
This is generally a feasible approach. You will need to make sure that the garage which has been earmarked to become your new stable is within the immediate enclosed garden area.
You must also factor in that the use of your property for horse-keeping has to be incidental to the dwelling house, as we touched on previously. This means that there can be no material change of use that would necessitate planning permissions.
Scenario 3: I have an existing small stable yard, but want to use the tack room as an additional stable because there is no space left.
This approach is conceivable if you want to use the tack room as a stable. This is achievable as long as there’s no condition in the planning permission that restricts its use.
Additionally, if you want to avoid a planning application for an additional tack room building, it’s essential that you have your tack room in an existing building. Perhaps you can convert a certain amount of the tack room, leaving some space for your equipment in the area that’s left?
Scenario 4: I would like to put a stable in a paddock that is adjacent to my garden.
In this instance, curtilage (the area of land attached to a house and forming one enclosure with it) does not incorporate paddocks which adjoin gardens. This means that planning permission is therefore required for a new stable in the paddock area.
There are other options, such as using a mobile field shelter as a stable, but it is always best to check with an expert before you start making plans.
Martin Perry Associates are chartered surveyors, structural engineers and building surveyors in Cornwall and the West Country. We are able to provide a range of property and land services for a variety of needs. Take a look at our blog for further advice on planning permission or contact us today.