Controversial plans for a new dog exercise park in Calverley will finally be decided by councillors next week – with council planning officers recommending the proposals are rejected.
Applicant Nikki Goodall wants to use an area of land at the rear of Carr Farm Cottage, on Carr Road, as an outdoor pet recreation and exercise facility.
She wants to create a paddock area with rustic wooden post and rail fencing, in keeping with the conservation area and surrounding listed buildings. The proposed exercise area would open 8am until 8pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 4pm on Sundays.
The proposals were deferred by councillors sitting on February’s south and west plans panel for further negotiations and more information.
Following a lengthy questioning of the applicant, objectors and council planning officers, councillors said the use of the site seemed be acceptable but deferred a final decision on the application for further discussions including:
- The possibility of a smaller paddock area.
- Reduced or staggered opening hours.
- Reduce the number of dogs on the site at any one time from eight to four.
- Applicant to consider acoustic fencing.
- Look again at the surfacing for parking in the paddock.
- Receive comments from environmental health on a noise report produced by objectors.
- Introducing conditions about no lighting on the paddock.
The original proposals split opinion, with 42 letters of objection and 47 letters of support.
Cllr Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) also objected, saying the dog park would be too close to properties on Clara Drive.
Concerns include increased levels of noise and disturbance and extra traffic, while supporters say there is a need for safe and secure space to exercise dogs in Calverley.
A planning officer’s report for next Thursday’s plans panel meeting says the applicant had addressed some of the points following February’s meeting, but recommended refusal, based on recommendations from environmental health officers. The report states:
“The Local Planning Authority consider that the use would be unacceptable in close proximity to residential properties due to undue levels of noise and disturbance resulting from barking dogs throughout the day with no method of attenuation that could adequately mitigate for the noise emissions resultant of the proposed use.”
The applicant said staffing levels would be two full time and one part time member of staff. A pre-booking system would also be in operation, and there should be intervals between each booking, to allow the previous customer to vacate the site, as well as a cap on the number of dogs in the paddock at any one time.
Councillors on the south and west plans panel will meet to decide the application at Leeds Civic Hall next Thursday at 1pm. Read the full agenda and papers here.
More details of the plans are available here.
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