Dog walker field set to be rejected by council

RESIDENTS FEAR DESTRUCTION OF HABITAT FOR WILD BIRDS

PLANS for a private dog walking field within yards of a village public park are set to be thrown out.

Seventy objections have been registered against the proposal for the plot off Braybrooke Road, Little Bowden, near Market Harborough, which is currently used as grazing land for sheep.

The application to Harborough District Council is to create a 2.5-acre site where pet owners and professional dog walkers can take animals for a walk.

But council planners say a proposed six foot-high mesh fence around the field would create an eyesore and that there is no need for such a facility.

They have recommended the application be rejected at a planning meeting this week.

Residents have also objected to the plans, saying they would ruin a green space, create more traffic and destroy a valuable habitat for wildlife.

Some fear it could pave the way for an application for housing on the site.

One resident said: “The area is a wonderful natural space for wildlife and has nesting moorhens, ducks and a beautiful egret. While I am no Bill Oddie, I suspect their habitat will be disturbed by the increased noise from dogs and potential traffic.

“This will once again have an impact on the local ecology that has already been affected by large numbers of green spaces being developed.”

Another objector said: “I fear the hallmarks of a Trojan horse application are evident. Dogs don’t graze, the vegetation will take hold and thrive. The fencing will act as perfect trellis support for many and varied plants to grow up, through and over. A wall will then form. Another application can then argue ‘this overgrown eyesore would be put to much better use and look nicer with neat and tidy new houses.’”

A design and access statement handed to the council as part of the planning application says the facility would benefit the “growing number of dog owners in the location”.

Paperwork with the application reads: “The proposal will seek to provide a safe and secure area, available for private hire, for use to walk and exercise dogs. It is envisaged that primary use will be private individuals and professional dog walkers.”

There are no plans for lights to be put up, with the document stating the operating hours would most likely be weekdays in daylight hours.

Information included in the statement says the applicant – a Mr C Gowling – seeks to provide a “safe and secure area, available for private hire, for use to walk and exercise dogs”.

Dog waste bins will be included on site, with collection to be agreed as part of a waste management plan.