Appeal Against Pembrokeshire National Park Decision to Reject Dog Exercise Field Successful

A challenge to a “planning behemoth” Pembrokeshire national park decision to not allow a dog exercise field, a decision described as “sucking every bit of pleasure from this world,” has been successful.
In an application refused by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park last July, Laura Howbrook sought permission for a change of use of an agricultural field attached to mixed usage in order to run a secure dog exercise field business at Millcombe, near Cosheston, some three miles from Pembroke Dock.
The application was refused on the grounds that a rural location “means that users of the field would be required to travel by private motor vehicle causing an increase in tailpipe emissions and traffic noise,” adding: “The proposals do not meet the policy requirements for a community facility to be well located to serve its needs”.
Since that refusal an appeal by Laura Howbrook and Sarah West was lodged with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).
“We acknowledge the sustainable transport hierarchy for planning purposes and are aware that this is feasible in cities and towns but struggle to envisage how this is viable in a rural community such as Pembrokeshire, where there is a small population and low population density.
“It is never going to be the case that each settlement in rural locations will have access to public transport because this in itself would be unsustainable.”
It added: “This business does not earn much money, but it is very popular with our field users who have been very supportive so we feel we should fight the Park’s planning behemoth as much on their behalf as our own.”
The appeal also includes many letters of support against the refusal, comments including: “OMG they want to suck every bit of pleasure from this world.”
The appeal was heard on September 8, along with an appeal against a related national park enforcement notice to cease the use of the dog exercising area.
The inspector, following a site visit, allowed the appeal, granting planning permission, but dismissed the enforcement notice appeal.
In a report the inspector said that “it would be a difficult task to find a suitable location which would be both accessible by walking and public transport as well as being close to high levels of population and potential clients,” coupled with a site that provides “a private space within which dogs can be exercised without potential hazard triggers”.
It went on to say that “given accessibility to sustainable transport options varies widely across the county and between urban and rural areas, it is reasonably likely that local dog-walkers in the area already regularly travel by private car to dog-walking destinations,” adding: “Therefore, the appeal field would not necessarily be generating additional car borne trips but is providing an alternative location for dog owners that are already travelling to other areas in the county.”
It said any other concerns raised could be dealt with by planning conditions put forward by the national park.
While the enforcement notice appeal was not successful, the inspector stressed the outcome “will be of little consequence, as planning permission has been granted for the development”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​