RETROSPECTIVE plans to turn agricultural fields in a Wrexham village into space for dog walking have been put forward.
The business at Plas Issa Farm in Penycae has been running for more than two years without full planning permission.
Agents acting on behalf of the owners said it had been operating under permitted development rules which allow the temporary use of land for any purpose for up to 28 days a year.
However, in a planning statement submitted to Wrexham Council, they admitted this limit had recently been exceeded.
The owners are now seeking to formalise the use of three fields at the farm on Cristionydd Lane for dog walking on a permanent basis.
The agents said: “The purpose of the scheme is to provide a private hire opportunity for individuals and families to exercise their dogs in a safe, fenced, environment.
“Following the purchase of Plas Issa Farm in 2019, the main farming operation ceased, and the current owners are seeking a rural diversification scheme to replace the mainstream farm income.
“The plan is to join the growing number of successful dog field businesses which are opening across the country as low risk, low impact farm diversification schemes. There are some 450 in the UK at present.
“The proposals will form part of wider diversification scheme to include dog training, conversion of outbuilding to holiday lets and glamping. A separate application for the conversion and glamping will be made in due course.”
Plas Issa Farm covers an area of more than 52 acres and is located just outside Penycae.
Two of the three fields which form part of the proposals are in close proximity to the farmhouse.
Under the proposals, customers will be able to book one-hour timeslots to use the fields online and be required to adhere to a number of rules, including to pick up their dog’s waste.
The maximum number of dogs permitted on each field at any one time will be five, but the agents said the actual figure will normally be lower.
They said: “The whole operation will be managed and the site routinely and inspected once a day for fence damage, dog mess, litter and potential hazards.
“Although the proposal includes the three fields it is unlikely all three will be in use simultaneously.
“The intention is to have two fields operational at any one time, allowing natural recovery through rotation and the occasional use by livestock.”
The proposed opening hours are from 7am to 7pm from Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays.
Parking for customers will be provided on an existing hardstanding area within the farm complex.
It’s expected the local authority will issue a decision on the scheme at a later date.
