A PLANNING application to create a dedicated dog-walking field in Chudleigh has been rejected.

The application - reference 25/01872/FUL - sought permission to change land off Parr’s Lane from an agricultural field to a secure, private dog walking field, which will be operated as a business.

The proposal aimed to ‘provide the community within Chudleigh and the surrounding areas with a facility that will be well managed and has little to no impact on the environment’, the planning statement for 25/01872/FUL says.

But Teignbridge District Council (TDC) refused to grant planning permission, saying it was unable to fully assess the impact of the proposed development due to ‘inadequate and inconsistent information’.

The council said: ‘The submission presents an incorrectly scaled Block Plan, conflicting fencing material descriptions, no level details for the sloping site, a lack of scaled drawings for the hardstanding and associated engineering works, and incomplete details for the proposed sliding gate and dog-washing dispenser.

‘In the absence of accurate and comprehensive information, the Authority cannot be satisfied that the proposal is acceptable in planning terms’.

Also, TDC was ‘unable to conclude that there would be no adverse effect on the integrity of the South Hams Special Area of Conservation.’

The site comprises around 0.3 hectares of gently sloping pastureland off Parr’s Lane, on the outskirts of Chudleigh; it is currently in agricultural use and bounded by mature hedgerows and post-and-wire fencing.

The proposal involved the change of use of the field to a secure dog walking area, which will be available for hire on a pre-booked basis, with only one customer per slot and a 15 minute gap between each time slot.

According to the planning statement, the proposal would have:

• Encouraged regular outdoor activity and supports mental health through safe access to the countryside;

• Provided a secure, enclosed space to train and exercise dogs, reducing risks to livestock, wildlife and members of the general public that may be driving by. Dogs with poor recall will be secure instead of potentially running out in front of moving vehicles;

• Offered a safe environment for elderly, disabled, or anxious owners who may find public spaces unsuitable;

• Attracted visitors to Chudleigh, supporting local cafés, shops, and services.