PROPOSALS for the change of use of land near Bude to be used as a dog exercise paddock has been put before Cornwall Council’s planners.

If approved, it could see the land, presently used for agriculture, being used for the secure exercise of dogs on land to the west of Brooks Garden Centre in Stratton, Bude.

The application was made by Rob Broad of Homeleigh Garden Centre and the plans would include the creation of three paddocks with a 1.8 metre fencing and associated agility equipment.

The applicant told Cornwall Council: “The application seeks consent to use the field as a private, bookable dog exercise area, divided into three enclosed paddocks bounded by metal perimeter and dividing fencing, making use of the existing vehicular access and concrete parking hardstanding at OS Grid Reference SS239054. The proposal represents a modest, low-impact and fully reversible diversification of the applicant's landholding.

“The application site comprises an agricultural field of approximately 1.89 hectares, currently in agricultural use for grassland/silage production. The parcel is not covered by detailed (post-1988) Agricultural Land Classification data. As the proposal is fully reversible and results in no permanent loss of agricultural land to development, land quality is not a material constraint to the proposal.

“The site lies immediately to the north-west of Brooks Garden Centre and Nursery, with the adjacent dwellings of Kitts Farm and Kitts Bungalow to the south. Vehicular access is taken from an existing field entrance at OS Grid Reference SS239054, served by an established concrete hardstanding suitable for parking. No new access or hardstanding is required to serve the proposed use.

“The nearest residential dwelling lies approximately 60 metres from the field boundary. The surrounding land is predominantly agricultural, with the established commercial uses of the garden centre and nursery immediately adjoining. The applicant owns the application site and the surrounding land, and the proposal forms part of the diversification of the wider landholding.”

In the application, the applicant stated that there was a precedent for authorising similar types of development in the area, pointing out that a dog training yard operates nearby.

They continued: “That facility comprises a comparable rural dog use – a securely fenced field for the training and off-lead exercise of dogs, double-gated for dog safety, served by off-road hardstanding parking, operating on a pre-booked basis only. The Council accepted the principle of a dog facility in this open countryside location, on land immediately across the road from the present application site, as an appropriate form of rural diversification under Policy 5.

“The proposal is a modest, low-impact and fully reversible diversification of agricultural land, making use of an existing access and existing concrete parking area, with no new access or hardstanding required.

“The use would cause no material harm to landscape character or highway safety, and any noise or amenity considerations can be satisfactorily controlled by condition. The proposal delivers clear public and animal-welfare benefits.”

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Cornwall Council will make the final decision on the application, and can be viewed on the planning portal under reference PA26/04650.