Policy information sourced from Dacorum Local Plan 2004 Alteration
81 Equestrian Activities
New commercial equestrian facilities will not be permitted in the Green Belt unless they can be accommodated in existing buildings and there is no adverse impact on the openness of the Green Belt.
Small scale facilities will normally be permitted in the Green Belt and Rural Area, provided they meet the following criteria:
- equestrian facilities should be well located in relation to existing and proposed rights of way for equestrians;
- equestrian facilities should be carefully integrated into the rural landscape by siting adjacent to existing buildings or features such as trees, woodlands or hedgerows;
- any new buildings should be compatible in scale and design with the countryside setting and ancillary to the overall equestrian use;
- the scale of activity should respect the countryside setting and quality of the surrounding area;
- opportunities to extend or add links to the bridleway network and improve riders’ safety should be taken;
- careful attention should be paid to the design, maintenance and management of jumps and other equipment (including the desirability of removing these items when they are not in use); and
- availability of sufficient grazing in relation to the number of loose boxes and stable units.
Proposals should not result in subdivision of fields into small paddocks with stables and fencing in each area.
For more information please see the Local Plan