A new dog walking field is set to be unveiled in a north Suffolk village after plans were given the green light.

Change of use plans were submitted by Peter Pease to turn vacant grazing land in Blundeston, near Lowestoft, into a private, secure dog walking field.

With a scheme lodged with East Suffolk Council in October, plans centring around "Change of use from vacant grazing land to secure dog walking field for clients" at 3, The Loke Blundeston on land to the south of The Loke were approved under delegated powers last week.

Eastern Daily Press: The layout plan on the land at The Loke in Blundestpn Land owned by Peter Pease.The layout plan on the land at The Loke in Blundestpn Land owned by Peter Pease. (Image: Peter Pease)

With "retrospective planning permission" sought for the change of use from grazing land to a secure dog walking field for clients, the applicants said the field "is secluded and off the main road" with enclosed parking, and "it provides an area for people to exercise with their dogs away from the public."

With the dog walking field on 0.40 Hectares (0.98 acres) of land available between 8am and 8pm, the applicants said: "Our reasons for change of use are to provide an entirely secure area for owners of rescue dogs to exercise their dogs without fear of losing them."

With the field fenced and gated, the applicants added it would be "to provide somewhere safe within the village" allowing "owners of reactive dogs to exercise their dogs safely."

With 35 representations of support for the proposals, Blundeston and Flixton Parish Council objected to the plans citing the application was "refused by all the parish councillors" due to car parking, access, traffic and noise concerns.

A report from a delegated officer at East Suffolk Council said: "The proposal is not considered to adversely impact on the character and appearance of the countryside, and subject to appropriate conditions the impact on amenity is deemed acceptable.

"Whilst the proposal will result in increased activity in comparison to the previous use, it is not deemed that the activities would not be unusual within this area, and with the conditions proposed the impacts are considered to be appropriately mitigated."

It recommended that "planning permission be granted" subject to nine conditions, and in granting approval, a decision notice letter sent to Mr Pease from the council stated: "Permission is hereby granted by East Suffolk Council subject to compliance with conditions."