www.equineplanningsolutions.co.

uk
About Us

Equine Planning Solutions are a professional team of Chartered

Architects, Planning Consultants and Surveyors based in Lancashire.
We specialise in designing and obtaining planning approval for
equine related projects throughout the UK.

Our team work on a wide range of applications from modest scale out-
door arenas and stable facilities to commercial scale racing yards and
equestrian centres. We also undertake work at some of the UKs best
known racecourses.

Our multi-discipline approach allows us to offer clients a cost effective

and convenient service when it comes to designing and ultimately
realising their projects.

We have an enviable reputation when it comes to obtaining planning

approval for our clients who include Jockey Club Estates, Bolesworth
Estate, Farley Hall Estate, DML Racing, Kubler Racing and Andrews
Bowen.
Services

Our disciplines include;

Architecture existing facility evaluation, feasibility studies, masterplanning, preparation of planning and
building regulation applications, construction drawings & tender packages.

Planning Consultancy site evaluation, planning policy reviews, planning statements, client representation at
planning committee meetings.

Surveying measured building surveys, condition surveys, topographical surveys.

3d Visualization visual impact assessments, massing models, photo-realistic images, 3D animations.

Project Management client /contractor liaison, construction programme and cost control.

Our team who are members of their respective professional bodies be it RIBA, RICS or RTPI have a proven track record on
equine related projects. This combined experience allows Equine Planning Solutions to offer clients the very best chance
of success when it comes to obtaining planning approval for their proposals.
Training Yards
Limes Farm, Upper Lambourn
A former Jockey Club Estates depot located within the AONB
and close to Upper Lambourn Conservation Area. The pro-
posed development at Limes Farm included demolition of
former storage buildings and construction of a new racehorse
training yard.
The application which was approved in 2016 included
permission for a two storey 4no. bed detached trainers resi-
dence, grooms accommodation in the form of 7no. bedsits
and 2no. two bed cottages. Equestrian facilities included
Downs House, Epsom
Downs House is believed to date back to the 1780s and has
had an illustrious racing history being the training yard for
Eclipse, a thoroughbred from which 80% of todays blood-
stock is believed to be descended.
Equine Planning Solutions were commissioned to redesign
the existing yard and worked with both the site owner and
Jockey Club Estates to produce a scheme which would al-
low this historic racing site to be brought back into everyday
use.
60no. stables in two stable barns, horse walkers, loading bays, Davenport Stud, Cheshire
wash bays and stable yard offices.
Equine Planning Solutions worked closely with Jean
Working to tight timescales Equine Planning Solutions delivered a de- Davenport to obtain planning approval for new stables
sign that has overcome considerable planning constraints. Developing a and training facilities on what was a greenfield site in
rundown farmyard in a Conservation Area into a quality modern racing the Cheshire countryside.
yard. The development includes a 60m x 40m outdoor arena,
Daniel Kubler a 50m x 20m indoor arena together with 24no. stables,
Kubler Racing horse walker, ancillary equestrian facilities and spectator
viewing areas.
Equestrian Centres
Ampleforth College, North Yorkshire
A historic site set in the North Yorkshire AONB Ampleforth Col-
lege is one of the worlds foremost Catholic Colleges.
Designs for a new equestrian centre on campus that could
be used by pupils at the College as well as the general
public on a commercial basis. Work involved researching
existing academic equestrian facilities in the UK, strategic
masterplanning to identify a workable site on campus and
detailed design of the proposed facilities.
Langshot Stud, Surrey
Our clients intention was to redevelop this former livery yard
to create a high-end stud.
The development included removal of existing outdated
equestrian buildings and construction of 24no. stables
together with veterinary facilities. Externally the site was
remodelled and landscaped to include a Skywalker (com-
bined horse walker and lunge pen), 60m x 40m outdoor
arena, covered horse walk, visitor and staff parking areas.
The development included a 60m x 40m outdoor arena, a Farley Hall Estate, Berkshire
40m x 20m indoor arena together with 25no. stables, student
cafe, lecture spaces and ancillary equestrian facilities. Farley Hall Equestrian Centre is part of the Farley Estate
near Reading. Equine Planning Solutions were commis-
We would recommend Equine Planning Solutions without any hesita- sioned to design an extension to the existing stable yard.
tion whatsoever as being totally professional and attaining the highest
levels of efficiency, helpfulness and relevance, especially when planning New facilities included 24no. stables set within a tradition-
consent is needed urgently or within time constraints. al courtyard together with tack, feed and wash boxes.
Further improvements to horsebox parking areas and
Peter Parkinson. Co-Founder Caring for Life onsite storage were also provided as part of this project.
Leeds Yorkshire
Racecourse Related
Cartmel Racecourse
Equine Planning Solutions were commissioned by the
Holker Group to masterplan the future development of
Cartmel Racecourse.
The exciting proposals comprise improvements to the
racecourse including new stables, grooms accommo-
dation, campsite, remodelling of the parade ring and
saddling boxes together with the introduction of flexible
public spaces as well as further improvements to race
day spectator access and car parking.
Exeter Racecourse
Assessment of the existing facilities at Exeter Racecourse and
development of strategic proposals to address issues as-
sociated with management of race day and non-race day
facilities.
Key considerations included increasing the capacity of cov-
ered terraces, improving the size and flexibility of hospitality
and conferencing suites, aesthetic improvements to existing
grandstands, and redesign of the officials / weighing room
building.
Equine Planning Solutions worked together with Cartmel Race- Warwick Racecourse
course Managing Director Jonathan Garratt to produce a Works to improve the spectator experience. Proposals
scheme that not only benefitted the racecourse but the wider including sympathetic restoration and extension to Chan-
community of Cartmel. dlers a Grade 2 listed grandstand, together with a new
visitor entrance building/public caf.
Equine Planning Solutions helped convert our random ideas into a
Following recommendation from a colleague, I contacted Equine
cohesive plan for the future. Their experience and technical expertise has
Planning Solutions to look at concepts we were considering at War-
been invaluable, while the excellent presentation of their work has aided
wick Racecourse. I would have no hesitation recommending them
discussion with all parties. for any architectural design or planning consultancy work you need.
Jonathan Garratt
Andre Klein. General Manager Warwick Racecourse
General Manager Cartmel Racecourse
Outdoor Arenas
Bolesworth CSI**** International Arena, Cheshire
The Bolesworth Estate is situated in the heart of Cheshire. Each
year the estate plays host to the Bolesworth International, five
days of events and attractions including World Class CSI****
International Showjumping.
Equine Planning Solutions worked with Andrews Bowen to
prepare designs for the International arena, the centre-
piece of the Bolesworth International and the main stage
for some of the worlds best showjumpers.
Fellside Farm, Lancashire
Fell Side Farm is situated close to Preston within the Forest of
Bowland AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Equine Planning Solutions prepared a detailed planning ap-
plication for a new 60m x 30m all-weather outdoor arena.
Despite numerous planning constraints affecting the site
permission was granted in 2015 with the outdoor arena being
constructed by Equestrian Surfaces Ltd.
The scheme included a range of spectator grandstands and
Cherwell, Oxfordshire
hospitality marquees encompassing a 100m x 62m outdoor Cherwell has long been associated with prestigious show
arena. Spectator areas are elevated giving the impression of jumping events such as the Dunhill International. Follow-
a natural Amphitheatre. ing major redevelopment of the Centres outdoor arenas
Equine Planning Solutions were recommended to us by the company in 2015, Cherwell now offers some of the best competition
wed chosen to construct our arena. They were clearly very experienced, facilities in the UK.
professional and efficient, and our planning application was approved at Equine Planning Solutions were tasked with obtaining
the first submission. planning approval on this Greenbelt site for the new fa-
Geraldine Button cilities including a 95m x 55m all-weather outdoor arena
Malton, North Yorkshire and traditional grass arena.
Indoor Arenas
Fosshey Equestrian Lifestyle Centre, Cheshire
Redevelopment of an existing stud and livery yard to create a
new Equestrian Lifestyle Centre in the Cheshire Greenbelt.
Fosshey Stables in Antrobus was given the green light to un-
dertake major improvements to its facilities following a suc-
cessful planning application by Equine Planning Solutions.
The development will see the introduction of a new indoor
arena, outdoor arena, crew barns and hay barn as well as
extension and improvements to the owners farmhouse.
Withycombe Farm, Oxfordshire
We were approached by our client at Withycombe Farm
following a less than promising pre-app response to her pro-
posed development from the local authority.
Our revised pre-app scheme for the AONB site addressed the
local authorities concerns as well as the sites physical con-
straints. The scheme includes an all-weather outdoor arena,
stables and indoor lunge area designed to sit comfortably
within the landscape with minimal visual impact.
Husbands Bosworth, Leics.
Fosshey Stables proprietor Sandra Tinker is a qualified Reiki
practitioner and Horse Whisperer and required new facilities An application for a 50m x 20m indoor arena, 60m x 30m
on site to allow the introduction of Holistic Care and Rehabili- outdoor arena, stable barn and grooms accommodation
tation. for a site in Husbands Bosworth.
We needed to upgrade our premises to produce quality showjump- The proposed scheme includes 8no. stables together with
ers. We are now in possession of a facility which is efficient and fit for associated tack, feed, rug rooms and wash boxes as well as
purpose; and EPS helped considerably in making this happen. a viewing area into the indoor arena. The grooms accom-
modation will form a two-storey annex to the stable barn
Tony Buxton
offering 24hr supervision of the facilities.
Strides Equestrian
Trainers & Grooms Accommodation
Cliffe Bank, Cheshire
A former racehorse training yard Cliffe Bank had fallen into
disrepair with many of the buildings on site no longer fit for
purpose. Our clients intention was to replace some of the
existing timber stable buildings, refurbish the Georgian brick
stable buildings and convert some of the existing brick barns
to residential units.
Equine Planning Solutions gained approval for redevel-
opment of the existing site at Cliffe Bank. The approved
scheme included 24no. new stables in two American Barns,
Limes Farm, Upper Lambourn
The proposed trainers accommodation took the form of
a two storey detached, four-bedroom house with integral
garage on an elevated part of the site overlooking Upper
Lambourn Conservation Area.
The proposed grooms accommodation included a two
storey building designed to look like a traditional barn. It
contains 7no. bedsits on two floors together with 2no. two
bedroom self-contained cottages.
a replacement storage barn, a new dedicated site access for
Rock Farm, Worcestershire
equestrian vehicles and associated parking, converted stable
Equine Planning Solutions were commissioned by DML
yard offices and a barn conversion providing two residential
Racing to design and obtain planning approval for
units.
converting this former dairy farm into a 60no. box racing
Equine Planning Solutions obtained approval for my outdoor arena yard.
(when I would have given up!) and I am certain that their expert knowl-
The grooms accommodation included 4no. en-suite
edge was central to the positive outcome.
bedrooms together with communal kitchen, lounge
Brilliant!
and dining areas. The new building also contained staff
Melanie Lewis
canteen, toilets and shower facilities.
Perth
Other
Fazaa, Dubai
Concept proposals for an Olympic standard showjumping and
dressage training facility in Dubai, UAE.
The facility has been designed to provide stabling and an-
cillary facilities for 30no. horses together with state of the art
veterinary clinic, treatment room and farrier workshop. The
training facility includes an extensive exercise yard incorpo-
rating lunge pens, horse-walkers and sea-walkers.
Wadi Owera, Qatar
Equine Planning Solutions were approached by the Habtoor
Leighton Group to provide specialist architectural support as
part of their bid to construct the Wadi Owera stable complex
in Qatar.
The proposed development which includes provision for over
3,000 horses will be situated around grass and artificial race
tracks. The scheme includes veterinary and farrier facilities as
well as grooms accommodation and ancillary retail/ public
areas.
Bleakholt, Lancashire
Grooms accommodation is also provided as is the members/
owners club house which is positioned at the hub of the Initially instructed to design and obtain planning approval
scheme offering elevated views over the outdoor arenas. for a new outdoor arena, following completion of the
arena project our services were retained to look at various
Equine Planning Solutions continue to be involved in overseas improvements to the wider site including masterplanning
projects providing specialist equestrian design support to inter- the Bleakholt visitor experience.
national development companies including Habtoor Leighton This work involved detailed analysis of the existing site and
Group and EHAF Qatar. identification of key issues relating to site access and pe-
destrian/vehicular movements.
Testimonials
When we bought an old cottage with land in an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty, our main concern was obtaining
planning permission for an outdoor arena. Equine Planning
Solutions were recommended to us by the company wed
chosen to construct the arena and we are so glad we ap-
proached them to take care of dealing with the application.
They were clearly very experienced in applications similar to
ours and the whole process went very smoothly. They were
professional and efficient, and our planning application was
approved at the first submission.
Equine Planning Solutions made the whole process easy for
us and we would unreservedly recommend them for any
similar projects.
Geraldine Button
Malton, North Yorkshire
Having purchased a property with some basic stables and me-
nage, we needed to upgrade the premises to run a business with
the aim of producing quality showjumpers. We used Equine Plan-
ning Solutions to advise on this development, and to manage
the interactions with the Local Authority.
We are now in possession of a facility which is efficient and fit for
purpose; and EPS helped considerably in helping this happen.
Their advice was practical in terms of understanding the horse
and business requirements, and knowledgeable in respect of
how the Planning Authority would view our venture. In addition,
they were approachable and it was easy to discuss the nuances
of the plans as they developed at each stage of the process. All-
in-all, a lot less stressful than some other planning applications I
have been involved in!
Tony Buxton
Strides Equestrian
Equine planning solutions provided us with an excellent level
of service and support in our application for a mnage for our
equestrian project at Caring for Life.
Their service was friendly and helpful but most of all extreme-
ly efficient. We found them extremely easy to contact (not
always possible with people in the equestrian field) always
respond to enquiries and calls, and brilliant at keeping us
informed of progress with applications to planning.
We would recommend their services without any hesitation
whatsoever as being totally professional and attaining the
highest levels of efficiency helpfulness and relevance espe-
cially when planning consent is needed urgently or within
time constraints.
Peter Parkinson
Co-Founder Caring for Life
Leeds Yorkshire
Working to a tight timescale Equine Planning Solutions have
been able to deliver a design that has overcome the consid-
erable constraints of a challenging location from a planning
perspective.
Developing a rundown farmyard in a Conservation Area into
a quality modern racing yard in the middle of an Area of Out-
standing Natural Beauty was always going to be a challenge
and we are delighted with the plans for the first phase, and
looking forward to working with them on second phase of our
exciting development.
They have responded to any requests for changes or updated
plans from the council very effectively and efficiently.
Daniel Kubler
Kubler Racing
Testimonials
Equine Planning Solutions helped us to convert our random
ideas and aspirations into a cohesive plan for the future.
The Cartmel Master-plan has evolved into a document which
is helping us to discuss options with the local planning de-
partment and which should eventually lead to a full-blown
planning application. Equine Planning Solutions experience
and technical expertise has been invaluable in developing our
plans, while the excellent presentation of the work (plans and
drawings) which has aided discussion with all parties.
Jonathan Garratt
General Manager Cartmel Racecourse
We had wanted to build a mnage on our private yard but
were unsure of the planning regulations and requirements for
our area. Equine Planning Solutions expert knowledge helped
us to make informed decisions and the planning application
went through in a timely, efficient manner. Thank you, Equine
Planning!
Paula Baigent
Farrow House, Oakworth
Equine Planning Solutions came to site and met us at our
convenience before happily going through any questions we
had with great knowledge. Equine Planning then very swiftly
produced a well considered and very professional document
with cost guidelines which will greatly aid our future expan-
sion and capital expenditure plans.
It has allowed us to get a real foothold on how we can grow
as a business.
Dan Thompson
General Manager Exeter Racecourse
Equine Planning Solutions has worked together with the
Jockey Club Estates on various projects, including developing
proposals for a new quarantine facility, landscape improve-
ments to Hamilton Road and concept proposals for incubator
training yards. We have found Equine Planning Solutions team
to be both professional and approachable and their work to
be in line with the high standards expected by Jockey Club
Estates.
Nick Patton
Assistant Managing Director Jockey Club Estates
The service provided by Richard and his team at Equine
Planning Solutions was first class. With a single site visit and a
minimum of email correspondence, the weight of the plan-
ning process was lifted from my shoulders.
Despite a negative response to the pre-application enquiry,
Equine Planning Solutions obtained approval for my outdoor
arena (when I would have given up!) and I am certain that
their expert knowledge of equine planning applications was
central to the positive outcome.
Brilliant!
Melanie Lewis
Perth
Following a recommendation from a colleague, I contacted
Equine Planning Solutions to look at some concepts we were
considering at Warwick Racecourse. Equine Planning Solu-
tions were not just extremely communicative and timely
in responses but delivered a set of drawings that exceeded
our expectations. We are not necessarily the easiest client to
please, but the EPS team were very patient working with us,
as we mastered exactly what we needed to see on paper.
I would have no hesitation recommending them for any archi-
tectural design or planning consultancy work you need.
Andre Klein
General Manager Warwick Racecourse
CONTACT US

@equine_planning

@equineplanningsolutions

Equine Planning Solutions Limited

01772 36 90 90

www.equineplanningsolutions.co.uk

24 Winckley Square, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 3JJ