Owners of a popular farm shop and cafe hope plans for a new pet exercise paddock will reduce the number of dog walkers using un-designated footpaths in an effort to protect nature.
Vine House Farm in Deeping St Nicholas, has applied to create an exercise paddock after surveys revealed the number of dog walkers using field margins and un-designated public footpaths affected ground nesting birds such as sky larks, corn buntings, ducks and even hares.
The plans also state the facility will create a safe open space for dogs – in response to houses having smaller gardens which can often limit the amount of exercise dogs get during the day.
If agreed, the field opposite the farm shop, on the A1175, will be open between 7am and 7pm every day of the week, depending on the season.
There will be a car park on site with controlled access to allow no more than three vehicles at one time.
Concerns have been raised recently about the lack of spaces for owners to exercise their pets in light of the new rules which could see people being fined £100 for not picking up their dogs pets or carrying a bag.
Documents submitted with the planning application state that the waste bins inside the paddock and car park are set to be emptied regularly.
A maximum of six dogs and three owners will be allowed at one time to book a 50 minute time slot from an online booking portal – and includes a 10 minute change over period within the park.
The open space had previously been used for farming.
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