Field where you pay to walk your dog approved

A field where people book slots to walk their dogs will be created in Mossley.

The vacant grassland between Quick Road and Strawberry Lane will be specially designed to ‘provide an attractive, safe and secure environment’ for dog walkers. The site would be fenced off and accessed through a gate secured with a keypad.

The applicant, Mr Doug Kenny, wanted to create this option for pet owners who have dogs with poor recall or dogs that are nervous or too boisterous around other animals. 

Mr Kenny added this could provide a safe haven amidst a number of dog attacks in public parks.

Planning papers read: “The number of incidents involving irresponsible owners with uncontrolled dogs attacking other innocent dogs in public parks and the wider environment has escalated in recent years resulting in deaths and serious injuries and associated significant distress to the dogs and their owners.

“This is a serious concern for many dog owners who love their pets and treat them like members of the family. Therefore, having a safe and secure exercise facility to use will provide the necessary comfort and peace of mind.”

Customers who book a slot to use the field would be supplied with a security pin code to use the facility.

A small parking area for four cars will be built next to the field for customers to use. Those booked on to use the field will each get 45 minute slots, with only four walkers allowed on at a time.

Biodegradable bags for picking up dog waste would be provided to customers and a waste management plan has been created to deal with any mess not picked up by owners. 

The field is expected to be open during daylight hours and close when it goes dark.

Site plan for the new dog walking field in Mossley. Credit: Tameside Council