Wychavon dog walking field approved despite objections

Plans to open a secure dog walking field on land off Brine Pits Lane have been approved by Wychavon District Council.

That’s despite objections from residents and the approval of plans for a dog park in nearby Crown Lane earlier this year.

The 2.5-hectare Brine Pits Lane site, which is currently an overgrown field, is about 300 metres from the M5 motorway and also sits within designated green belt land.

ACCESS: The entrance to the site off Brine Pits Lane (Image: British Dog Fields)

According to planning documents, once developed the field would operate a booking system with 40-minute appointments taking place on the hour, every hour.

A maximum of six dogs will be allowed on the field at any one time.

Planning officers said the development would be appropriate in the green belt and there would be “no significant highway safety consequences”.

But residents had a number of concerns about the plans.

Rebecca Hollingworth said: “The entrance is so close to the junction of Brine Pits Lane and Crown Lane.

“Cars and lorries often take the junction at speed and on the wrong side of the road. This new use of the field would increase the traffic on what is already a dangerous lane.”

Other residents objected because permission for another dog walking field has only recently been granted nearby in Crown Lane.

Laura Broadhurst, who will be running the dog park in Crown Lane, said: “If both parks are operating there will invariably be some confusion over the location and directions to each park.

“This may cause danger on the roads with people trying to turn around when they realise their error.”

Fiona Landan said: “How much more traffic is Crown Lane supposed to carry? It's already a rat run for motorists avoiding congestion on local roads and the M5.”

Dodderhill Parish Council objected to the plans for a number of reasons, including concerns over the impact on wildlife on the site and a lack of privacy for residents.