A Suffolk country estate is planning to create a dog exercise field available for hire as it seeks to find a new use for an area of farmland.
The Rendlesham Estate has applied to East Suffolk Council for permission to diversify the use of an arable field at Rookery Farm in Rendlesham to provide a dog walking site where one customer at a time would be able to exercise up to six dogs.
In a supporting statement to the council, chartered surveyors Landbridge Property said the applicant needed to diversify in order to maintain the viability of the farm and allow for future investment.
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If approved, the 4.7 acre field on the edge of Rendlesham and close to the A1152 would be available for dog owners and walkers to book for a 50 minute exercise slot with ten minutes for handover.
In the statement, the surveyors said there was a growing demand for safe exercise areas for their dogs amid growing concerns about them mixing with other dogs, especially as there had been an increase in dog ownership since the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, some dogs were nervous around other dogs.
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"This has led to a rising need for safe exercise areas, where there are limited other distractions. In addition, there is a decreasing number of places throughout the country where dogs can be let off their leads safely.
"The exclusive use of the field will give customers space to walk their dogs off
the lead, knowing that they will not meet other dogs.
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"There is also an increasing demand for dog walking services and the proposal would enable a professional dog walker to exercise up to 6 dogs at any one time without the risk of dogs escaping or coming across other dog walkers," the surveyors said.
A small car parking area will also be created just inside the field.
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