The “Ruler” Guide to 0.2 Hectares
For an equestrian builder, 0.2 hectares (2,000 square meters) is the magic number. To put that in perspective:
• A Standard 20m x 40m Arena: 800m² (Well under the limit).
• A Large 20m x 60m Arena: 1,200m² (Still under the limit).
• A Professional 40m x 60m Arena: 2,400m² (Over the limit).
If your total “development footprint” (the arena plus any new hardstanding or stables) stays under that 2,000m² mark, life is going to get easier.
The Good News: BNG Exemption
As of 2026, the government has realised that small-scale projects shouldn’t be taxed like major housing estates.
• No 10% “Nature Tax”: If you’re under 0.2ha, you are exempt from mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
• No Expensive Metrics: You will no longer have to pay an ecologist thousands of pounds to fill out complex “Statutory Metric” spreadsheets just to prove your arena/equestrian build isn’t hurting the local wildlife population.
• Cost Savings: This can save an equestrian project anywhere from £2,000 to £5,000 in report fees and “offsetting” costs.
The AONB Reality Check
If your yard is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) now called National Landscapes, there is still a bit of common sense required.
• The Exemption is for the Gain, not the Protection: You don’t have to improve the biodiversity by 10%, but you still can’t destroy what’s already there.
• Topical Surveys: If you’re building near a hedgerow or an old barn, the council might still ask for a simple “Protected Species Survey” (for bats or great crested newts).
• Landscape is King: In an AONB, the planners care most about how the arena or equestrian build looks. Even if you’re exempt from BNG, you still need to get the fencing, lighting, and “cut and fill” right so it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.
Why this matters for Mark Scott Arenas
We’ve always believed in building things that last and doing the job right. This 2026 rule change is a win for any rider because it removes the “red tape” that was stopping people from improving their facilities.
“If you’re planning an arena under 0.2 hectares in size, you’ll be in the clear for BNG. You can focus your budget on the actual construction, the drainage, sub-base, and the surface, rather than on paperwork. If we’re in an AONB, we still keep the design sympathetic to the land and aesthetic.”
Quick Summary Table:
The “Ruler” Guide to 0.2 Hectares
For an equestrian builder, 0.2 hectares (2,000 square meters) is the magic number. To put that in perspective:
• A Standard 20m x 40m Arena: 800m² (Well under the limit).
• A Large 20m x 60m Arena: 1,200m² (Still under the limit).
• A Professional 40m x 60m Arena: 2,400m² (Over the limit).
If your total “development footprint” (the arena plus any new hardstanding or stables) stays under that 2,000m² mark, life is easier.
For more details and help with your build reach out to the team.
