The proposed dog park area uses a difficult field area with no drainage and historically poor crop yields, with a few council planning requirements to comply with.
Since Covid and the Lockdowns, many more people have appreciated and seek the availability of some good outside fresh air, space and exercise.ย The dog population also expanded at this time, as people and families spent more time together during Lockdowns, and having a family pet such as a dog became more popular.ย Hospitality closed down, retail shopping was restricted and local shopping, especially small outside market stall type vending areas, became more popular.
The first application to South Holland District Council (SHDC) was an idea which I thought aligned with some of the new ways we live our lives post Covid; a farm vending shop, electric car chargers (powered by our on farm renewable energy), a couple of free woodland and nature walks and a bookable secure dog exercise area, to enable the dogs to be safe, secure and have fun off the lead.
Unfortunately, after many concessions and changes to the application, SHDC would not support the project.ย Maybe our idea was too soon or too radicle for the council at that time frame, so we progressed with just the secure dog exercise area, with this part of the original project having received quite a few comments of support during the original planning application process.
We chose the proposed location as that part of that field regularly struggled to grow a good crop due to the soil type, no drainage, and vermin attack.ย The yield maps show the last few years crops, clearly demonstrating just how bad that area was.ย The chosen location was also relatively easy to access for future users to visit, coming off Monmouth Lane, a dead-end road, but being close to Roman Bank which is used by local traffic.
After further consultation and correspondence from the council, we were asked to move the proposed access and car park area further away from a residential property, and move the proposed dog park boundary fence further into the field.ย This change of boundary fence line location then allowed us to propose a wild flower meadow area, which we could also plant some fruit trees in, and should really benefit the local wildlife and biodiversity of the site once it becomes established.
We are looking forward to getting this project started, and being able to offer a safe, secure and fun bookable dog exercise area to the local community.ย We will come up with a name for the Dog park soon!
