When preparing and submitting an equestrian planning application in England, landscape considerations are a core part of how local planning authorities assess the proposals because they directly affect the character, visual impact and acceptability of development in rural areas. Planners routinely treat landscape impact as a material consideration in decision-making under planning law and local plan policies and this is often overlooked, or underestimated, by some applicants. Here are the key landscape considerations you should be aware of and address clearly in your application:
Landscape Character and Setting
Proposals need to respond to the existing landscape character of the site and its surroundings. Understanding local landscape type (field patterns, topography, hedgerows, trees, historic land use) and how your development would fit into this context is a key starting point. Development should be designed so it respects the local pattern and minimises disruption to the recognised character and many Councils are now taking a landscape-led design approach, meaning that landscape context should inform siting, scale, layout and design decisions from the earliest stages – even more so in sensitive locations such as those within a National Landscape.
Visual Impact and Prominence
It is important to assess how visible the development will be in the wider countryside. Avoid placing large structures or arenas in prominent panoramas or ridgelines where they would be highly visible from public viewpoints in lay persons terms – where they would stick out like a sore thumb. Buildings should ideally be located close to existing structures where possible to reduce spread across the landscape. Large scale buildings, open arenas or surfaced areas can be visually intrusive and risk refusal if they appear isolated or dominant in the landscape. Location can be key.
Design, Materials and Form
How buildings and structures look and the materials they use are important. Subtle, rural-appropriate materials and colours (timber cladding, muted roofs) can help buildings blend with the countryside and be appropriate for their location. Traditional barn-style forms are often preferred over industrial or highly modern designs for rural settings. The form and scale should not be overly large compared to nearby features.
Screening and Planting
A considered landscaping strategy can mitigate adverse visual impact (but is overall part of the proposal – screening cannot realistically outweigh poor design or scale in principle). Native hedgerows and planting can screen arenas, yards or buildings over time and reinforce rural character. Retaining existing trees, hedges and vegetation is crucial — removal is often resisted unless fully justified and can have implications for mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain. Where screening is needed, specify planting species, densities and long-term management in your submission. Landscaping is often secured by condition with a requirement to replace any failed planting for a period of five years to ensure appropriate establishment.
Lighting and Nightscape Effects
Outdoor lighting can significantly affect rural landscapes – especially in areas with dark sky designations or National Landscapes. Floodlighting for arenas or security lighting is often restricted unless it can be shown to avoid light spill and harm to darkness of the countryside.
Lighting design should use cowls, directional fittings, low levels and timers where necessary to reduce visual intrusion and also generally be controlled with conditions as to timings for use of lights to ensure they are off at appropriate points (late at night).
Site Layout and Ancillary Features
The ancillary elements matter too – all the bits and bobs that generally go with equestrian use outside of the basic buildings and main structures. Fencing, access tracks, hard standings, manège surrounds and waste storage areas should be sited and designed sensitively to avoid cluttering the landscape. Excessive sub-division of fields, random fencing or large gravel areas can be harmful and are often resisted without mitigation. This is particularly so in sensitive areas – some Councils do, for example, have specific guidance on this in National Landscapes and/or National Parks as appropriate.
Cumulative Landscape Impact
Individual equestrian developments may be acceptable, but multiple schemes nearby can together erode rural character. Councils increasingly take account of cumulative impacts on local landscape and visual amenity. This can be an issue where, for example, large blocks of agricultural land have been subdivided into different ownership parcels with each parcel requiring their own facilities. Cumulatively this can have huge impact on the character of the rural area compared to more extensive agricultural use of a land parcel as a whole.
Applications can, in some cases, benefit from robust supporting documents (proportionate to the type of development and its location) such as a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA). Clear site plans, sections and 3D visuals showing existing and proposed conditions can also help along with landscape management plan outlining planting maintenance and future site care.
In essence, the landscape matters because planners want to ensure equestrian development (like all development) stands comfortably within the character and pattern of rural land, limits visual intrusion and harm to scenic quality, uses design, materials and planting that reinforce natural appearance, and takes account of wider cumulative effects and lighting impacts. Attention to these considerations and supporting them with evidence, visuals and landscape strategy will notably improve the chances of securing a positive planning decision for equestrian proposals.