Bid for dog walking and training field near Peterborough approved

A plan for a dog walking field in a village near Peterborough has been approved.

An application was submitted to Peterborough City Council to convert part of a field in Helpston Road, Ailsworth, into a dog walking and training space, with a 1.8m (about 6ft) high fence and four parking spaces.

The applicant said the facility would offer pre-booked secure spaces for up to three dogs at a time to run and train off-lead.

Ailsworth Parish Council said it supported the idea of a dog walking area but was concerned by the traffic the site could generate.

An objection raised by a member of the public stated that entry to the field was on a marked bridle path so "will have an impact on riding in the area – there are also local badgers believed to have a sett located in the field".

The applicant said "potential user cannot arrive speculatively and that dog walking sessions are pre-booked for slots which are defined in terms of arrival, start time and duration.

"This will be suitable to control access to the facility and, if required, timings will be staggered to prevent too many users arriving or leaving at the same time."

The plan was approved by the council this week.