PLANS to turn land near Whitchurch into a public dog exercise play area have been submitted to Shropshire Council.
The applicants, Andrew and Lindsey Reeves, want to turn land at Glebe Farm near Whixall into a site where local people and visitors can go and exercise their dogs.
Mr and Mrs Reeves say they hope the plans will have a benefit in the wider community.
A design and access statement submitted as part of the application states said: “The proposal has grown organically and the paddock is used by the applicants to exercise their own dogs.
“The paddock is small and well enclosed, but is away from the wider more productive agricultural fields.
“Given its proven functionality for private use, the applicants are keen to extend it out to wider members of the public.
“Many areas of the Whixall are available for public walking and provide community benefits, such as Whixall Marina café, Dog and Bull Public House and the Meres and Mosses.
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“However, the wide open spaces does not offer safe opportunities for dogs to be loose.
“The subject site will allow local people and visitor the opportunity to explore and enjoy Whixall whilst giving their dogs safe exercise.”
The proposed opening hours for the business would be 6am until 9pm in the summer season between April and September and 7.30am to 6pm in the winter season which will be from October until March.
The site would also be by prior appointment only and each session would be an hour.
Mobile items such as tractor tyres and pipes would also be placed in the area to be used as enrichment for the dogs attending the site.
Dog waste would be placed into suitable bins on site and the bins would be collected regularly by a specialist firm.
The statement added: “The applicants undertaken extensive market research into the proposed diversification venture at Glebe Farm and concluded that this modest and low impact development will complement their property and the surroundings.
“The development will allow the applicant to utilise their private dog exercise facilities for the wider community.
“It is considered to be policy compliant and will help bring additional facilities to the rural area of Whixall.”
