Plans to bring dog exercising field to land near Rectory Street, Beckingham, submitted to North Kesteven District Council, met with opposition from residents

Plans to bring a dog exercising field to a Lincolnshire village have been met with opposition from residents.

The new plans, submitted submitted to North Kesteven District Council by agent Mike Sibthorp Planning Ltd, would see a paddock located on land near Rectory Street, Beckingham, change its use to a dog exercising/training area.

In the application, the applicant said in a statement that the field would be used for utilised for training classes or workshops, rentable to customers by the hour, with the 1.4ha field fenced off with a 1.8m high mesh fence and the site sub-divided into two separate areas.

The existing hardstanding area will be used for parking, and customers will be asked not to park on Rectory Street or any adjoining roads, with bookings timetabled to ensure a suitable separation between departing groups and arriving groups, to avoid any potential congestion in the car parking area.

Some small items of agility equipment such as obstacles, jumps etc. will be placed on the site, as will a small portable field shelter to provide shelter for dog owners in more inclement weather.

A dog-waste bin will be located within the parking area, and the existing stable building will be adapted to include a toilet, washdown area, and a space to rent items such as towels.

A statement from the planners said: “The provision of secure, safe areas for the exercising of dogs – generally rentable by the hour – are becoming increasingly popular and in-demand facilities, as open-space locations where dogs can be allowed to exercise freely, off a lead, become more limited.

“The proposals in this case seek to satisfy a recognised need for such facilities.”

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The applicant has also submitted a noise management plan, stating that all dog related training activities will take place in the area would operate from 7am to dusk, seven days a week, with outdoor classes taking place during daylight hours from Monday to Saturday.

“Good animal behaviour is expected at all times and appropriate training techniques will be adopted to ensure noisy behaviour is curtailed. In the unlikely event of persistent noisy behaviour by a dog, they will be excluded from classes.”

But the plans have been opposed by local residents, with many stating their worries concern safety, an increase of traffic on the small cul-de-sac of Rectory Street, and the degradation of foot paths.

One resident commented: “There is no need for this dog walking field, there are ample open spaces around Beckingham to walk dogs — from an environmental standpoint why would we encourage people to get in their cars and drive to Beckingham when we have miles of footpaths and walkways, this will increase traffic numbers and increase pollution in and around Beckingham.”

Another said that it adds “no value to the local community and should be refused in full”.

“This proposal will introduce up to 7,000 vehicle movements annually, create safety risks for children, generate unacceptable noise, degrade the rural landscape, and harm local amenity.”

The final decision will be made by North Kesteven District Council’s planning committee at a later date.