Dog exercise park facilty rejected by Flintshire planners
Plans to open a dog exercise facility in Penymynydd have been turned down by Flintshire County Council’s Planning Committee.
Despite planning officers recommending approval for the facility- known as Dogshill Paddock – councillors on the committee said they had concerns over road safety for users of the site exiting onto the busy A550 and the impact on biodiversity on land designated as ‘green wedge’.
Senior Planning Consultant George Evans of Axis, the agents working on behalf of applicant Matthew Blackie, explained that the application – for five 3,000 square foot secure areas for dogs to be exercised off-lead plus parking for visitors – would bring the land into effective use and protect biodiversity.
“The applicant has worked hard to deliver a proposal that makes productive use of rural land while preserving its openness and enhancing biodiversity,” he said.
“The development would provide a well-managed recreational facility that meets an identified local need, delivers local benefits and minimises environmental effects.
“It is acknowledged that the proposal falls within the green wedge. It is clear however that the development is an acceptable use of the green wedge on the basis it represents a justified rural enterprise which requires open space that cannot feasibly be secured in a more urban setting.
“It would provide an essential space for dog owners in the local area to safely and securely exercise their dogs with limited impact on the openness or the purpose of the green wedge.
“There will be a booking system to avoid scheduling conflicts and keep account of who is using the facility, restrictions on operation hours to avoid the need for artificial lighting and the provision of dog waste bins to ensure that the site is kept clean.
“Strict rules would also be put in place which all users would be expected to follow at all times.”
Despite these assurances however, committee members remained concerned about safe access to the site and the impact on ecology and biodiversity.
Local member Cllr Alasdair Ibbotson was not present at committee but submitted a written argument.
“The council previously rejected the transformation of the green wedge through gravelling an area of 1,700 square metres of this same site,” he said.
“The refusal of that application was upheld on appeal by the inspector and temporary permission also refused due to the permanent damage that much loss of green area would do.
“This application in the same green wedge has 1,740 square metres of gravel and hard standing in the same green wedge.
“The damage is exactly the same. It would not be rational to grant one application and refuse another. This application must be refused too.
“If the applicant were applying for this on land not in the green wedge, there would be no serious grounds for objection. Dog exercise facilities already operate elsewhere in the community.
“However, the applicant has chosen to damage the green wedge, indeed has already installed the gravel and hard standing without permission.
“If the council does not act to reaffirm that this scale of development of the green wedge is inappropriate, this decision is liable to be used as a comparator case in discrimination claims against traveller sites and green wedges in Flintshire.
“Green wedges are chosen and protected for a reason, and that protection must be upheld.”
His view was supported by Penyffordd Community Council.
Cllr Mike Peers also raised the impact on the ecology of the green wedge site.
“In the report, it does say further hedgerow removal is required as recommended by highways to ensure a double width access,” he said. “That’s a concern from an ecology standpoint.
“I’m concerned about hedgerow removal in a green wedge to accommodate a double width road and also to accommodate the overlaying of gravel on what is essentially open countryside.
“It seems to go against everything that we try to maintain within the LDP for a green wedge.”
The committee agreed and permission was refused.
By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter
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