A SECURE dog walking field is being provided in Linton after Herefordshire planners agreed to the change of use of agricultural land at Burton House.

The owner of the land has set aside two acres, which is currently laid out as permanent pasture. The proposed dog walking area will be available by prior appointment on an hourly basis, with visitors booking appointments via an online booking system.

The area will be enclosed by a mature hedgerow along the highway with post and wire fencing with a hight of 1.8m to the other boundaries.

A small area of hard standing will be created for a parking area to ensure that vehicles are able to turn and leave the site via an existing field access.

The proposal is for a maximum of six dogs and two cars to be in the field at any one time. and the secure fenced field will enable people to walk with their dogs off lead without the worry of them running away.

The owner suggests that this service will particularly appeal to those owners who have dogs which may be nervous, have poor recall, a disability or may be an area for initial puppy training away from other dogs, as well as professional licensed dog walkers.

This is a community amenity for the private dog owner and for the support of the local dog business owners by offering a much in demand secure and safe location for dog walking.

A dog walking field set in the rural countryside, which is easily accessible, will be a valuable addition to the dog walking community in and around the surrounding area.

The applicant’s agent Patricia Smart Designs stated: “We feel that given this is an existing rural business, the proposal to change the use from agricultural land to a use for dog walking will be of benefit to the local community of dog owners looking for privacy and security when exercising their dogs.

“The development proposal undertakes diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses’ which encompasses sustainable rural tourism which respect the character of the countryside.”

Planning officer Natalie Sullivan at Herefordshire Council said: “There are no issues with the effects on visual amenity or landscape character with this scheme.

“Additionally, there are no material planning considerations which would amount to a reason to withhold planning permission and therefore, the application is recommended for approval subject to conditions.”

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