Dog field proposed for holiday business and local community

A Torridge tourism business is seeking permission to create a secure dog exercise area, allowing guests to let their pets off-lead. Local residents would also be able to use the space outside the main holiday period.

Paul White has submitted a planning application to North Devon Council to convert part of a field at High Park House, Littleham, near Bideford into the exercise area.

The proposal follows requests from prospective holidaymakers looking for a safe space to exercise their pets.

Planning documents state that more than 10 dogs often stay on-site with their owners across the seven holiday properties. However, with open driveways and low hedges, the site is not fully secure for dogs.

The owners say they have never received a noise complaint from customers or neighbouring properties in the 10 years they have operated.

A secure dog area would reduce the impact on neighbouring spaces by moving pets further away from residences.

“From experience of having dogs for over 20 years, we know that dogs off-lead in a secure environment are quiet and tend to be silent once they are exhausted,” they said.

“Typically, dogs make noise when they are on a lead and encounter unfamiliar dogs, as they feel they are ‘protecting’ their owners.”

A maximum of four dogs—either from the same household or already socialised—would be allowed on the one-acre site at any time. The proposed opening hours are 9 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays.

When the holiday business is quieter, typically outside of school holidays and during winter, the owners plan to allow local dog owners to use the facility.

“With the increased number of properties being developed in the area, an additional local facility for exercising dogs safely will benefit the wider community,” Mr. White said.

He added that two similar facilities in Appledore and Buckland Brewer had both been successful, with the Appledore site receiving 19 positive comments in support.