We’re delighted to announce that STAT Planning has successfully obtained planning consent for the change of use of agricultural land to a dog walking facility in Thurlaston, incorporating associated parking, infrastructure, and biodiversity enhancement measures.
This project required a detailed justification of the proposed operations to assess the level of intensification compared with the site’s current agricultural use. Both local and national planning policies supported the principle of small-scale employment and leisure development, provided that the openness of the countryside was protected.
Although the proposal involved minimal built form, the site triggered the requirement to deliver the mandatory 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), as more than 25m² of habitats would be affected.
To meet this obligation, the BNG was secured via a Section 106 Agreement, following collaborative work with the Council to agree the appropriate mechanism, as they would not secure this through a planning condition. This ensured that biodiversity improvements were properly embedded in the scheme, despite a slight delay to the process.
This approval is a great example of how landowners can maximise the value of rural land through sensitive diversification for leisure or community use. Our team has extensive experience advising on similar opportunities, ensuring that proposals comply with planning policy and environmental obligations while supporting sustainable rural economies.
It’s worth noting that dog walking fields require planning permission, even where land has no established use, as operating a commercial facility constitutes a change of use.
We’re now pleased to be project managing the implementation of the scheme and overseeing the discharge of planning conditions to bring this new facility to life.
If you’re thinking about diversifying your rural land or securing planning permission for a similar project, our experienced team can help guide your proposal from concept to consent.
A special thank you to Mark Smalley of David Granger Architectural Design Ltd for preparing the project drawings.