Redevelopment Project: Balancing Horses, Heritage, and Biodiversity Net Gain
At Switch Equine, we are often asked to work on projects where heritage, planning, and ecology intersect. This particular project centred on an old farm and stables, still home to more than a dozen horses. The farmhouse had already been sensitively converted, but attention was now turning to the dilapidated agricultural buildings that surrounded it. The proposals sought to refurbish and repurpose these buildings, release a small parcel of land for residential development, and at the same time retain horse pasture and deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on site.
Achieving this balance was not straightforward. The site’s heritage value, active equestrian use, and sensitive ecological setting meant that careful planning and design were essential.
Understanding the Challenges
The site comprised a collection of historic Grade II listed buildings, many in varying states of repair, alongside more modern agricultural structures. It remained in active use as a home for horses, with pasture forming an integral part of the holding.
Earlier ecological surveys had overlooked key receptors — including a nationally designated river system connected to the site boundary — and had recommended the purchase of off‑site BNG units. This would have added unnecessary cost for the client and missed the opportunity to enhance the site itself.
Our challenge was to design a scheme that:
- Protected and enhanced the pasture still used daily by horses.
- Delivered BNG on site, rather than relying on external offsets.
- Addressed road safety and access concerns raised by the local authority.
- Balanced the client’s development ambitions with the site’s ecological and heritage value.
Key technical considerations included:
- Assessing bat roost potential across multiple stone and timber‑framed buildings.
- Ensuring compliance with planning policy and protected species legislation.
- Demonstrating a clear Net Gain for biodiversity in line with national requirements.
- Managing risks from invasive species recorded along the watercourse.
Our Approach
Drawing on our specialist knowledge of equine grazing systems, we worked closely with planning consultants and architects to redesign the site layout. This included:
- Retaining and enhancing horse pasture, ensuring improved grazing opportunities.
- Embedding BNG delivery on site through grassland enhancement, hedgerow strengthening, and new tree planting.
- Integrating ecological safeguards into the refurbishment of historic farm buildings.
- Designing a system that satisfied both the client’s needs and the local authority’s requirements.
Outcomes
The final scheme achieved a balance that had previously seemed out of reach:
- For the client: a viable development that unlocked value from the site while avoiding costly off‑site BNG purchases.
- For the local authority: a robust, policy‑compliant design that addressed biodiversity, heritage, and highways concerns.
- For the horses: improved, resilient grazing land that supports their welfare alongside wider ecological goals.
Why This Matters
This project demonstrates how planning, ecology, and equine land management can be integrated to deliver outcomes that work for everyone. By re‑thinking the site through the lens of both BNG and horse welfare, we created a system that supports development while ensuring the land continues to thrive as a home for horses and wildlife alike.