Planning permission has been granted for the creation of a private stable block and external riding arena in Drakelow, near Burton-on-Trent.
The approved scheme will provide three stable bays, a storage and tack room, and a 30 metre by 45 metre riding arena. The development is for the private, personal use of the occupants of the dwelling and is not approved for livery, equine competition or other commercial equestrian purposes.
Although modest in scale, this type of rural planning application still needs to be carefully prepared. The proposal had to show why the development was appropriate in its countryside location, how it would sit within the wider farm setting, and how matters such as landscape character, access, amenity and Biodiversity Net Gain would be addressed.
Supporting horse welfare and day-to-day use
The Planning Statement explained that the applicants live at the site and train their horses for competition. Existing arrangements involved using a field for training, which can become difficult and less safe during periods of adverse weather.
A purpose-built riding arena provides a more consistent surface and a safer training environment. The new stable block also provides proper space for the horses, along with storage for hay, bedding and equestrian equipment.
The proposed stables were designed to meet the recommended minimum stable size set out in the British Horse Society and DEFRA Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids. Each of the three stable bays is shown at approximately 3.65 metres by 3.65 metres, with an additional room for storage and tack.
A modest rural design
The stable block has been designed as a simple, practical rural building. It will be finished with timber cladding, timber stable doors and a dual-pitched corrugated sheet roof, with a ridge height of 2.9 metres.
The building sits close to the existing built form on the site, helping avoid unnecessary sprawl into the surrounding land. The riding arena is positioned to the south of the stable block and will be enclosed by post and rail style fencing, with equestrian sand used for the riding surface.
This approach helped demonstrate that the development would be in keeping with the rural character of the area and would not appear out of place within the wider farm and countryside setting.
Planning issues considered
Planning & Design Practice prepared the Planning Statement for the application, setting out the relevant local and national planning policy context and explaining why the proposal should be supported.
The site lies outside a settlement boundary and within the National Forest. The planning case therefore needed to address rural development policy, including the acceptability of equestrian facilities as a rural based activity, as well as the siting and scale of the proposal in relation to its landscape setting.
The submission also considered residential amenity. Because the development is for private use and is well separated from neighbouring dwellings, it was not considered likely to harm the amenity of nearby occupiers.
Highways matters were also addressed. The site benefits from an existing access, and the proposal was not expected to generate a significant increase in traffic. Three parking spaces are provided adjacent to the stable block.
Biodiversity Net Gain
The application was supported by a Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment and Statutory Metric prepared by Whitcher Wildlife Ltd.
The Planning Statement records that the baseline survey calculated 1.24 habitat units across the 0.63 hectare site. Following proposed habitat enhancements, including improvements to grassland parcels and new tree planting, the development is expected to deliver an uplift of 0.15 habitat units, representing a 12% increase over baseline conditions.
South Derbyshire District Council’s decision notice requires a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan before development begins, securing the identified net gain over the mandatory 30 year period. The permission also includes conditions relating to wildlife protection and a bird box plan.
A practical approval for a rural site
South Derbyshire District Council approved the application on 27 April 2026, subject to conditions.
The permission confirms the stable block and riding arena must be used only for the private, personal use of the occupants of the dwelling, and must not be hired out or made available for livery, equine competition or other commercial equine purposes.
For similar rural and equestrian projects, the decision is a useful reminder that even small-scale schemes need to be supported by the right planning information. Siting, design, access, landscape character, biodiversity and the exact nature of the proposed use can all affect how an application is assessed.
How Planning and Design Practice can help
Planning and Design Practice is a multi disciplinary team of chartered town planners, architects, architectural assistants and heritage specialists. We support rural development, equestrian and countryside projects from early strategy through to submission and decision, keeping proposals clear, proportionate and deliverable.
Our wider planning services can help with applications for stable blocks, riding arenas, rural diversification, agricultural buildings, change of use proposals and development within sensitive countryside locations.
For a free, no obligation consultation, contact Planning and Design Practice on 01332 347371 or enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk.