Horses and Shared drive access

[louiseebell]

We hare thinking of keeping horses on our land but the only access to the road is via a shared driveway. Would we be able to walk the horses up the driveway from our field to the road.

[teag1rl]

I don't know but the 'keeping' of horses on land requires planning permission if it's a change from agricultural use. If the horses are just grazed, no problem, but riding them round the field and puting up jumps and stables etc will require permission.

[louiseebell]

We dont think we will have trouble with the permission regarding the field as our neighbour has just got permission for stables and grazing, I am just unsure about the walking the over a shared driveway ! My neighbour has access through other land to the road.

[kwicky]

1 ton of horse can do a lot of damage to property. If I shared the drive I would certainly object to it!

[Ethel]

You do not need permission to walk your horse over your own drive, shared or otherwise.

You won't be 'parking' the horse on it and it won't inconvenience anyone.

Good for the roses if he does have an accident en route.

[pelican8000]

Why don't you give the local Council a ring. They are generally helpful - although do make sure you get their answer confirmed in writing. As for damaging the surface I think that is rubbish. A car or van is far heavier, and presumably entitled to use the driveway. Good luck.

[pelican8000]

Oh, forgot to say, you could have a word with the neighbour(s) you share the drive with, and see how they feel about it, and if there are any objections, you can discuss how you can overcome foreseeable problems, i.e. horse poo in the driveway etc.

[kwicky]

Pelican have you never gone on a bridleway in wet weather. Its usually impassable whether on foot or bike. If her driveway is solid concrete there should not be a problem but if I suspect its is gravel with soil underneath maybe a different problem. Also I read that horses hate walking on gravel something to do with small stones in their hoofs.