This equestrian project involved the conversion and enlargement of existing buildings into a stable block, and the removal and replacement of a large metal barn structure with a purpose-built indoor horse arena with an adjacent outdoor arena. Due to the site’s sensitive location, coupled with the extensive tree cover that surrounded part of the development area, WHLandscape were not only appointed to provide an assessment of the potential landscape and visual effects of the redevelopment, but also to look at the effect of the proposals on the surrounding tree cover.

While the proposed stable block conversion was not significantly constrained by adjacent arboricultural features, the existing metal barn was located within a mature broadleaf tree belt to the north and east and young mixed native plantation of trees to the west and south. As a result of a comprehensive tree survey and Arboricultural Impact Assessment, it became clear that the available space wasn’t large enough to provide both indoor and outdoor arena without negatively impacting on the Root Protection Areas (RPA) of the high-quality tree belt to the north and east or the location of the young woodland plantations on the western and southern side of the development area. 

While large scale tree removal is generally objected to under current planning policy, the immature woodland to the west of the existing barns and its hardstanding apron were assessed as relatively poor quality and containing a significant proportion of diseased ash dead or dying from the fungal infection ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus). In agreement with the consultant ecologist working on the project, it was identified that a significant proportion of the young woodland plantation to the west could be removed to yield space for the arenas, with WHLandscape developing a comprehensive landscape strategy to off-set the loss. This proposal benefitted the high-quality belt of mature trees to the north and east of the development area enabling the avoidance of any conflict with this valuable arboricultural feature and was accepted by the Local Planning Authority, with the application being approved and WHLandscape being subsequently appointed to produce an Arboricultural Method Statement for the development.