Bid to create dog walking facility off Sandy Lane, Iken, near Woodbridge, which received 16 public objections refused

A bid to create a dog walking facility in a village which received 16 public objections have been refused.

East Suffolk Council rejected the proposals for the site on land south of Sandy Lane, Iken, yesterday.

The proposals, by Mann Potatoes, would have seen an area of around 0.8 hectares enclosed with 1.5 metre tall deer fencing along with wire mesh fence to provide the necessary enclosure for dogs of all sizes.

The public objections cited issues with the plans including traffic, ecology, noise, disturbance and outlook.

There were also three comments of support from members of the public, which mentioned how the proposals would provide the village with an asset and give dog owners a secure space to exercise and train their dogs.

In the refusal, planners said the potential benefits did not outweigh the ‘level of harm generated by such a scheme in an unsustainable location’.

Planners said the proposals would have a poor relationship with existing sustainable settlements which would encourage increased traffic movements to and from the site, which would be ‘undesirable’ in the countryside.

They added the proposals did not enhance the ‘special qualities’ of the surrounding landscape character.

Iken Parish Council also objected to the plans.

It said the location is unsustainable as it is within an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and increase traffic on Sandy Lane would cause further damage to a road which is already in a bad state.

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The applicant can appeal to the Secretary of State.