The use of agricultural land and buildings for horse related activities can be considerd to be a material change of use, where Planning Permission is required. There is scope to keep horses for agricultural purposes such as horses working the land or grazing without supplementary hay or hard feed. However, if horses are ridden, rugged, fed concentrate feed, the use will be defined as equestrian and not agricultural. In the case of needing to bring in feed to your site, this may be considered to be an indicator of a change of use taking place. As a yardstick the British Horse Society (BHS) advises 1-1.5 acres per horse be set aside for grazing. (see this link) It is sensible to assume that any equestrian use of agricultural land or buildings may require Planning Permission. For further clarification, your Local Planning Authority should be able to provide you with guidance on this.
When do I need Planning Permission to keep horses?
Once the BHS threshold is met, any structure you build on this land, whether its a stable or arena, needs Full Planning Permission. In other words, if you are changing agricultural land to equestrian land, you will require Planning Permission. Changing how your land is utilised is considered a 'Change of Use' under Section 55 of the 1990 Act.
Planning Permission for stabling doesn't only apply to land that's free from buildings. If existing barns and external buildings on your agricultural land are to be converted into stables, this also classes as a 'Change of Use' and you'll need to seek permission. This is because the buildings purpose is changing from agriculture to equestrian.
What are the categories for Change of Use permissions?
Change of use for stables etc are often one of the following scenarios:
When don't I need Planning Permission for equestrian land?
There are few circumstances where you won't require a change of use Planning Permission to build stables on land. If you are keeping a reasonable number of horses compared to your household for personal use only (on garden or curtilage land), permission may not be required. If you wish to shelter horses on agricultural land without Planning Permission, building a temporary structure, generally something light-weight and/or movable (such as an open sided field shelter), is another way to provide what your horses need without going through the Planning Permission process.
When do I need Planning Permission to keep horses?
Once the BHS threshold is met, any structure you build on this land, whether its a stable or arena, needs Full Planning Permission. In other words, if you are changing agricultural land to equestrian land, you will require Planning Permission. Changing how your land is utilised is considered a 'Change of Use' under Section 55 of the 1990 Act.
Planning Permission for stabling doesn't only apply to land that's free from buildings. If existing barns and external buildings on your agricultural land are to be converted into stables, this also classes as a 'Change of Use' and you'll need to seek permission. This is because the buildings purpose is changing from agriculture to equestrian.
What are the categories for Change of Use permissions?
Change of use for stables etc are often one of the following scenarios:
- Residential garden converted to equestrian land
- Agricultural land to equestrian land
- Private use land to commercial purposes such as a Livery yard
- Livery yard to commercial property (such as a riding school)
When don't I need Planning Permission for equestrian land?
There are few circumstances where you won't require a change of use Planning Permission to build stables on land. If you are keeping a reasonable number of horses compared to your household for personal use only (on garden or curtilage land), permission may not be required. If you wish to shelter horses on agricultural land without Planning Permission, building a temporary structure, generally something light-weight and/or movable (such as an open sided field shelter), is another way to provide what your horses need without going through the Planning Permission process.