Mobile Stables and Field Shelters: What the Planning Rules Really Say

Do you need planning permission for a mobile field shelter?

You may not need planning permission for a mobile field shelter or stable if you can move it around your land and it isn't permanently fixed in place.

However, this isn't always the case. The rules will depend on the building, how you use it and what the land is currently used for.

Check with your local planning authority before you install your stable or shelter so you know where you stand.

What counts as a mobile stable or field shelter?

To be considered mobile, your stable or field shelter needs to be genuinely movable. You should be able to tow it to another part of your land without taking it apart.

Mobile stables and field shelters are usually designed with:

• Timber or metal skids rather than fixed foundations
• A tow chain or towing point
• No permanent concrete base
• No permanent connections to water, electricity or drainage.

Being able to move the structure in one piece helps show that it is mobile rather than a permanent building.

How do councils decide if a stable or shelter is mobile?

Your local planning authority will look at the building and how you use it. Things they may consider include its size, how it's attached to the ground, how long it stays in one place and whether it can actually be moved.

This is why putting a building on skids doesn't automatically mean you won't need planning permission.

When you might need planning permission 

Even if your stable or field shelter is movable, you may still need planning permission, depending on how you use it and where you place it.

You may need permission if:

• You're changing how the land is used - For example, changing agricultural land to equestrian use can require planning permission
• You're using it for a business - This could include a livery yard, riding school or another commercial equestrian business
• Your land is in a protected or designated area - Different planning rules can apply in places like conservation areas, the Green Belt and National Landscapes.

Check with your local planning authority before installing your stable or field shelter. Tell them what you're planning, where you want to put it and how you'll use it so they can advise you on whether you need permission.

It's much easier to check before you start than deal with a planning problem later.

For more information, you canread this planning guidance for stables and keeping horses.

How to keep your mobile stable or shelter movable

• Move it from time to time - Moving your building helps show that it's genuinely mobile and can also prevent one area of ground becoming too worn
• Keep it towable - Keep the skids, tow point and towing equipment accessible and in good condition
• Keep a record when you move it - Taking a quick photo each time you move your stable or shelter gives you a simple record of where it's been positioned.

Avoid adding permanent features around your stable or shelter that could make it harder to move, like a concrete base or fixed water connection.

How often should you move your mobile stable or shelter?

There's no set rule for how often you need to move a mobile stable or field shelter. 

What matters is how you use the structure, so there isn't a specific number of weeks or months you can rely on.

Choose your Colt mobile stable or field shelter

Colt mobile stables and field shelters are built on pressure-treated timber skids, with the option to upgrade to 80mm x 80mm metal skids.

Each building comes with a tow point and heavy-duty chain, so you can move it around your land using a suitable 4x4 or tractor.

They're built using strong 75mm x 50mm timber framing and 16mm (12mm finished) pressure-treated shiplap cladding. Our mobile stables also include OSB kickboard lining to 1.2m high to protect the inside from everyday wear.

Take a look at our mobile stables and mobile field shelters, or get in touch with our team to discuss what you need.