PLANS to turn an area of Oakworth countryside into a dog exercise field has been approved.

The application, by Mrs Atkinson, was a retrospective one - the Green Belt land has been used for dog exercise since May 2020 without planning permission, and the application came after Bradford Council began enforcement action in October.

The application says the business, on a 0.6 hectare site off Slaymaker Lane, is “highly valued” by local dog owners, and adds: “the applicant was unaware of the requirement to obtain planning permission for the development and has always acted in good faith.”

As well as the change of use of the site from grazing to the dog exercise business, the approved application allows for hardstanding and fencing.

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The application said: "The Applicant believes that the facility provides an important recreational and exercise resource for both dogs and their owners and it is especially valued by owners who are training their dogs and/or cannot let their dogs off a lead in a public space either because of behavioural issues or prohibition by The Dogs on Leads Order."

Planning officers attached conditions that the business can only be used between 8am and 8pm on Mondays to Fridays, from 9am to 8pm on Saturdays and from 10am to 6pm on Sundays, Bank or Public Holidays.