Below are some points to consider when building stables:
COMPARE SUPPLIERS FOR:
Size of timber used for door frames.
Strength and durability of doors.
Material used, thickness and height of kick boarding.
Whether external cladding and other components are treated.
Size of canopy overhangs.
Whether rain water guttering is included.
Quality of fixtures and fittings.
Standard products or flexibility of specification (a lower
specification may be perfectly adequate for some horses).
PLANNING:
Will the plans be accepted by the Local Planning Authority?
Is a Change of Use application required?
Time must be allowed for preparing the site and laying a
concrete base.
Forward planning is essential. It can take six to
eight weeks or more to obtain planning permission.
Unfortunately there are no easy answers when it comes to planning permission for stables or any other structure. Each application is taken on it's own merit.
Firstly, Central Government provides each local authority with Planning Policy Guidance notes. The local authority also have their Unitary Development Plan which is a 250 page document within which are policies on drainage, noise, traffic etc. Each application must adhere to these guidelines. The local authority then looks at the designation of the land e.g. is it in a green belt area or an area of outstanding natural beauty. There are different levels of tests for these types of area. The local authority then looks at the area itself and if the application passes all this then it goes to public consultation.
There may be instances where an application would not ordinarily pass one of the local authority policies, however, the local authority may ask
Central Government for permission to go ahead.
NUMBERS:
How many stables are required?
What size do they need to be? Ideally boxes should be 12ft
by 12ft or larger for bigger breeds.
CONVERTING AN EXISTING BUILDING:
Can the building accommodate the number and size of stables
required?
Is the headroom adequate?
Is the building structurally sound?
What ventilation is there? Good ventilation is required but
not draughts. Poor air quality can lead to the onset of respiratory
disorders such as COPD. Try to make sure that the stables face away from the
north and easterly wind.
If there are windows and doors already fitted are they in
the right location?
Are the doors wide enough (4ft wide and 7ft 6in high is
recommended)?
What is the floor like?
Is there any drainage?
Will a concrete floor have to be laid?
What purpose was the building previously used for (it may
need to be sprayed e.g. for ringworm)?
Watering system - automatic (water meters can be fitted to
monitor water consumption) or buckets (don't position them
where feed can get mixed up with the water)?
N.B. Many
stabling companies give free advice on presenting a planning application and
handling bureaucracy as part of their customer service.
