Derbyshire council to discuss dog park plans

Plans for a dog park on fields near Stanton by Dale, on the outskirts of Ilkeston in Derbyshire, are to be debated by Erewash Borough Council this week.

The plans have been put together by Jade Barker, who currently operates a dog daycare and dog walking service. She says the business – Barker’s Retreat – will operate from 7.30am to 6.30pm, six days a week.

Barker says two professional dog walkers will walk dogs on the site for one to two hours a day, alongside other private bookings. The site would have nine car parking spaces, according to the plans.

Council officers said converted barns and houses sit within 20-50m of the site boundary and “all would be likely to experience some noise and disturbance” from the proposal.

In addition, users of a footpath across the site have expressed concerns relating to “intimidation from dogs running free in the exercising fields”.

The officers concluded: “The proposal is within close proximity to a number of dwellings and it is considered that the proposal would result in significant harm to the amenity that those residents could reasonably expect to enjoy in this tranquil rural area. The safety and attractiveness of the public footpath of the site would also be significantly harmed.”