Decision time over dog exercise area next to one of Lancashire's busiest roads

South Ribble Borough Council's planning officers have recommended that Release The Dogs Ltd is allowed to operate on land that forms part of the Cuerden Strategic Site East off Stanfield Lane for the next five years.

>>>Click here to find out what happening now that Ikea has pulled out of plans to open at the site.

Works have already been completed and use is underway, despite permission to operate the business not having been properly sought.

What’s it like?

The two fields in question have been retained in their division, with a fence around each.

The existing access of Old School Lane, Lostock Hall, services as the access to the site, with a parking area along the north of the site, with each field having a timber shelter, access gates and dog waste bins

Who says what?

Seventeen neighbouring properties have been consulted, with three comments received in support and three objecting.

Objections included concerns that:

- The development would result in a harmful impact to the local highway network.

- The application would result in the loss of hedgerows.

- The development has a harmful impact to neighbouring amenity as a result of noise and loss of privacy.

• Dogs have escaped from the field and killed animals.

Farington Parish Council has also objected on several grounds, including that of light pollution, noise pollution, that fencing is inadequate, the traffic impact upon a quiet access-only single track lane, and concerns over the impact upon biodiversity with bats, owls, hawks, rabbits and foxes inhabiting the area.

But Lancashire County Council's highways department has no objections, and neither does South Ribble Environmental Health, as long as only eight dogs are allowed in each area and hours are limited.

What’s the recommendation to councillors?

Planning officer Daniel Power wrote: “It is considered that the proposal would not prevent the future use of the site in accordance with its allocation.

"The structures and ancillary equipment on the site would not result in significant harm to the character of the area, for the temporary period of the development.

"The change of use of the site would not result in significant harm to the amenity of neighbouring properties or the local highway network.”

A final decision will be made on Thursday, July 28.