Planning Permission For The Construction Of Equestrian Buildings
Technical and Basework Matters!

Planning For Equestrian Buildings:
Like it or not, we are seeing more and more equestrian buildings called in for planning permission. Recent experience has been that local councils are not really interested in the building itself but rather more in the fee that can be generated from the application! In these days of financial restrictions for councils, this fee is useful income.

Saltire Stables have a general data sheet available regarding planning matters but it is important to be aware that there are many instances where planning is probably not needed and our advice could save you quite a tidy sum. We are not planning experts, but we can give you help and guidance based on years of experience in designing and erecting buildings in a wide range of locations. For instance did you know that the simplest Field Shelters usually don't need planning permission - because they are classed as temporary structures as they have no concrete floor or footings?

Where planning is required, we would be delighted to follow up our final agreed baseplan with specific detailed elevation drawings. We have introduced dedicated CadCam facilities and we will be rolling out a fully computerised design service during the year. We normally supply these drawings free of charge to customers who indicate they will be placing an order with us, subject to a successful application. We forward a couple of copies of these but recommend you retain one so that more sets can be obtained if required.

TECHNICAL MATTERS:
Planning Permission ensures that a building is as sympathetic to the environment as possible. However a Building Warrant is a different system, designed to ensure that the structure is OK for its designed purpose and won't be of risk to any third party. Building Warrant is normally only needed for larger and commercial structures.

Saltire Stables use a "lean" economic design for most buildings and have developed a building system that is adaptable to a wide range of structures. The system was evaluated by the Timber Research & Development Association (TRADA) for exposure ratings experienced in any location in the UK. This means that you can be assured of your building's performance. One advantage of this is that this report is usually sufficient for Building Warrant purposes without incurring the costs of a Structural Engineering report every time. In cases where this is required (usually specialist structures) we are able to commission a report from approved third parties but this cost is payable in full regardless of the success of the application.

We use only quality components and all structural members are kiln dried and stress graded with timbers being marked for provenance and strength in accordance with BS5268. Additionally all fixings are fully galvanised and where applicable, items like joist hangers have a design stress allocated to them. This means that in conjunction with the roofing like the BBA approved Onduline system, the whole structure is correctly designed.

When you have to submit a Building Warrant application, we will forward a full technical data pack showing cross section finite element analysis, the constructional stresses and a copy of the TRADA technical report. This should answer all the questions needed but don't forget in the UK you can use our Freephone Customer serviceline 0800 132386 if you have any queries. We also have detailed reports and information available on our roofing systems, kicklining, hardware and other construction elements.

BASEWORKS:
The construction of a suitable base is essential to the long term durability of a building and as such it is worth taking time to consider the location and layout of the buildings in order to optimise the costs involved.

For permanent structures we would always recommend that the buildings be bolted down, fixing the framework to the concrete beneath. The building principle we adopt in the case of Equestrian Buildings is that they are usually on a concrete base larger than the actual buildings in order to provide a working area to the front.

We then suggest that a single course of brickwork be laid to match the walls as shown in the drawing below. The mortar underneath accommodates any small undulations in the concrete and provides the building with a perfectly level line to bolt through. There are many advantages to this, the principal one being that the external cladding protrudes over the brickline giving a water resistant seal keeping floors dry.

In several cases for Equestrian Buildings, the same principle is followed but instead of having a full concrete floor, the concrete is laid to follow the walls, again with the brickline as before. The "hollow" centre of each floor is then brought up to level with earth or graded stone or even peat. The advantage is that urine will percolate down through the bedding system, dramatically restricting the number of bedding changes required.

This system would be varied in the case of buildings such as Garages or Canadian Barns where generally speaking the slab is the exact size of the building. In this case we bolt directly to the concrete slab and as long this plinth is higher than the surrounding ground level there are no problems of water ingress.

Saltire Stables will forward detailed specifications with every baseplan and these show the needs in terms of fall, strength of concrete and drainage requirements. In all cases though, the actual implementation of our suggested plan is subject to amendment to reflect your local situation.