Aberdeenshire dog park gets green light

Plans to turn agricultural land in Aberdeenshire into a new dog exercise park have been approved by planners.

The plans, submitted by Let em aff Dog Fields, are for a secure dog exercise park – including field boundary fences, parking, and mobile buildings and structures – that will be set up in a field near the Meiklemill Industrial Estate on the Esslemont Estate.

Plans say that bins for general waste, recycling and dog waste will be provided in each field and at the parking area and will be regularly emptied.

The plans also include areas devoted to one-to-one training.

A maximum limit of eight dogs per field per booking would be in place, with up to 20 dogs in a field at any one time during events such as monthly breed meets.

The opening hours of the facility are listed as open seven days a week from 7am until 9pm.

Previous applications have been lodged in other parts of Aberdeenshire, including at Brae of Lesmoir at Rhynie, Drimmies Farm at Pitcaple, Locheye at Dyce and Thistlyhill Farm at Udny Station.