Park expansion refused over 'excitable' dogs fears

A dog walking site has not been allowed to expand over concerns it would lead to run-ins between children and "excitable" dogs.

Bradford Council refused a planning application earlier this year to expand Bingley View Dog Park in East Morton into a neighbouring field.

An amended plan was submitted by K Drummond but 11 people objected, raising concerns about the relationship between the development and East Morton Recreation Ground.

Officers ultimately refused the proposals, citing concerns that the expanded site would be accessible via East Morton Recreation Ground, which would bring "excitable dogs" to an area popular with young children.

According to the latest application, the field would be controlled through a QR code displayed at the site entrance and only one booking would be permitted at any given time.

"The proposed field is not intended to operate as a destination-based attraction attracting significant vehicle movements, organised events or large numbers of users," it read.

"Instead, the facility has been designed to operate as a low-intensity recreational facility associated with East Morton Recreation Ground."

Rejecting the application, officers said: "This type of dog facility is typically used by dogs that are generally not exercised off lead in open areas and for energetic off-lead play activity.

"As such, the dogs using these facilities are typically in an excitable state when being exercised in them.

"The intensification of dog-related activity and the placement of the access to the site close to the children's play equipment has the potential to increase conflict with other users of the recreation ground."

They added the booking system could lead to dog owners opting to use the open recreation ground as an alternative, if they found the dog park already in use.

"This will further expose users of the recreation ground to the dogs in an excitable state," they said.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.