A PLAN to open a dog walking field next to a primary school has been given the go-ahead by city planners - despite concerns from residents.

Farmland next to Claines CE Primary School will be turned into a secure dog walking facility.

Landowner Henry Philips also owns the existing dog walking field off School Bank and wants to open a new facility to “cater for excess demand”.

Neighbours had raised a number of concerns including the risk of dogs escaping into school grounds and the increased pressure the development would put on traffic and parking in the area, which residents say is particularly bad during school drop-off and pick-up times.

FENCE: Part of the existing dog walking areaFENCE: Part of the existing dog walking area (Image: Harrison Pick)

Worcestershire Highways had no objection to the plans, saying it was satisfied with the plans for the access to the site and for the four proposed car parking spaces.

Worcester City Council planning officers said: “Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development.

“In this case, the applicant seeks to utilise underused agricultural grazing land to create a secure and safe environment to expand their existing dog exercise business and further diversify their existing agricultural enterprise.”

Planners say the site is in the green belt, but as the aim of green belt policy is to “prevent urban sprawl” this development would be acceptable as it is for outdoor recreation purposes.

READ MORE: Plan to open dog walking field next to primary school

The applicant, RH Philips & Co, had said in a planning statement: “The farming business occupies 600 acres of owner-occupied land and operates mixed arable and livestock enterprises.

“Due to a multitude of current constraints within the agricultural sector, not least the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, farmers have an essential and relatively urgent need to diversify in order to remain sustainable and financially viable.

“As a result, the business is currently restructuring and diversifying its business model.

“In recent years the applicants have successfully diversified into pig production, with two units being approved at Daniels Farm. Further applications at both Daniels Farm and Church Farm have been approved to form commercial storage.”