4 replies to this topic

[helend]

I have found a 12 acre site (plan to rent a bit more next door) and it has a stable block on it - full PP was granted for it in 2001 and I believe it was built shortly after.

Does the addition of the stable change the use of the land to equestrian? Is there any such thing as equestrian use of land? The stable was intended for horses but could be used by other animals.

I read somewhere in the legislation that using land for agriculture does not constitute development and therefore is not considered to be a change of use requiring PP.

Does it follow then, that even if the land IS classed as equestrian, I could use it for agriculture, follow the plan and not need to worry about the council using the stable against me?  

I don't know anything about horses, so is equestrian land treated differently or is it more valuable or something?

I also don't want to draw any attention from the council by asking them yet, although I don't need to identify myself if I ring.

Thanks in advance,

HD

[che]

Equestrian stables are subject to business rates and I am not sure how easy it is to get this removed.

[barbararob]

We've got stables and our planning was for stables and a manege with a private use restriction on it.  The land if used for grazing with little supplementary feeding is agricultural.
We don't pay rates as it's private use.
I presume this land is for sale, if it's with an agent they should be able to tell you what the land is classed as.

[helend]

I had my first opportunity to quote the regs back to the council today, twice, so I'm feeling pretty smug!

The stables are small and pretty ramshackle, not professionally constructed. They were for private use, nothing else, so no rates thank god.

I rang and asked the council whether the stables conferred equestrian use of the land they're on, and they said not necessarily. Not happy to be fobbed off with wishy washy answers I continued... I read that even if it was equestrian land if I want to change it back to agricultural I don't need permission, and when I asked the PO if that was the case he agreed. He even offered to confirm it in writing if it would help. MIght I have a sensible planning officer on my hands here?

The land was on with an agent but the sale isn't going through them now, basically because I'm not buying the land, I'm swapping it for little a holiday house I've just finished doing up, so no money changes hands. It was the sellers idea to swap and she told me about the book, she's got it too and said it would help us!

I have got the pre contract enquiries from this forum to send to the seller now so that should cover anything else I need to know before I commit.

Thanks for the info as always guys!

HD

[surreydodger]

Quote

MIght I have a sensible planning officer on my hands here?

I've been dealing with planning departments for 30 years or so Helen and I am still curious to your above finding. I have detected such flashes of brilliamce occasionally when dealing with various PO's in the past. However, what I haven't been able to determine is if that brilliance is self induced or just a chance reaction. One thing I have ascertained is that it is a brief state of mind and then very quickly, they return to type. I think if we could induce a biological reaction which maintained brilliance on their part,,, or even just a modicum of discernable intelligence, life would be wholly more enjoyable and productive all round.

Alas, I fear that situation will be a long time coming and probably something only future generations will enjoy. As evolution is a fairly predictable science, there are many things that will be solved before the problem of dealing with difficult PO's. Stuff like moving faster than the speed of light, travelling in time and thought communication between Universe's are all going to be solved well ahead of the PO conundrum.