Dog park plans in Battisford, near Stowmarket, granted by Mid Suffolk District Council

Plans for a new dog walking park in a village have been given the green light.

The proposals to change a former horse paddock in Battisford, near Stowmarket, into a secure site designed for owners to exercise their pets off-lead have been granted by Mid Suffolk District Council.

The new facility will be based at Highfields Farm, off Hascott Hill, on land previously used for livery stables.

The dog park will feature a 0.65-hectare enclosed exercise area surrounded by 1.5-metre post-and-rail fencing lined with wire mesh to keep dogs secure while allowing smaller wildlife to pass through.

Developers say the site will offer dog owners a safe and enclosed space to walk their pets which will reduce the need to use public footpaths or farmland.

A separate parking area will also be created to ensure the safety of users and to allow vehicles to turn around safely on site.

To enhance the rural setting, a new native hedgerow will be planted along the southern boundary.

The permission was granted subject to several conditions – including the submission of a noise management plan before the site opens. This will set out measures to limit barking and manage noise from vehicles and visitors.

The council has also required a dog waste bin to be installed and maintained and ruled out any commercial training or agility events from taking place on site.