DOG owners in Gillingham will have a new secure place to walk their four-legged friends following the approval of plans.

Plans to change the use of part of an agricultural field on land at the outskirts of the town at Field Lane, near the North Dorset Rugby Club, have been approved by Dorset Council.

The plans include the construction of a 2.1metre high fence as well as a new vehicular access and car parking area with six spaces.

Secure dog walking fields have become more common over the years as they serve as a safe space for owners to train dogs or exercise dogs that may be reactive.

The secure field would measure just under a hectare.

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Planning consultancy firm AssetSphere, on behalf of the applicant, said: “The proposal provides a secure area for individuals to exercise their dogs off-lead.

The field with planning approval is found near North Dorset Rugby Club Picture: Google

“Typically, the area would be rented by individuals on 30 minutes to one hour time slots.

“The field is situated on the edge of the town of Gillingham. Access to the field would be via road or on foot.”

Assetsphere said the proposals fill a void, as the nearest secure dog walking field to Gillingham is found at Todber – 7.5 miles from Gillingham.

It added: “The applicants have seen themselves that there is a need to provide a facility within the town, from a significant increase in dog walkers since 2019, utilising the footpaths on their land.”

Gillingham Town Council objected to the plans when they were discussed at a meeting in August.

Concerns were raised over the limited information given regarding the removal of dog waste and the expected number of dogs using the site at any one time, “which could create a possible noise nuisance.”

As part of the decision notice, Dorset Council said the development is only permitted providing the field is not used for dog walking outside of 7am to 10pm on Mondays and Sundays, and before the field is first used, details of the storage and removal of dog waste should be submitted to the council.

To view the plans in full, visit the planning section on Dorset Council’s website and search reference P/FUL/2024/04027.