MEMBERS of Ryedale District Council's planning committee are set to debate proposals to create two 'dog-walking fields' in Nawton - which are intended to reduce issues such as dog fouling and livestock worrying.

The plans, submitted to the council and set for discussion at a meeting of the committee tonight, are focussed on a 1.93 hectare field between Station Road and the A170.

The planning application includes proposals to divide the area - formerly an agricultural field but now 'vacant' - into two fields, which would both be used for dog-walking.

The application includes plans for an access road into the site for pedestrians and vehicles off the A170, a parking area, and the erection of a deer fence.

According to the plans, dog owners will be able to 'book' access to the fields between the hours of 7am and 8pm every day and the two fields will allow a maximum of seven dog walkers in each at any time.

Summarising their plans, the applicants said: "The proposal is intended to make use of a currently unused site to create a safe and controlled area for people to exercise and train their dogs, which should help to reduce issues associated with dog walking, some of those being: dog fouling on the street, dogs scaring or injuring livestock, and the spread of parasites."

But the plans have raised nearly 30 objections from local residents.

These include concerns about increased traffic, the safety of the junction, and loss of residential amenity.

Many also said that a pair of barn owls live and hunt in the field daily.

One objector said: "The barn owls will not tolerate the disturbance caused by the division of the field, combined with human and canine activity. Letting the grass grow a bit longer in certain parts of the field would not eliminate the intrusion.

"This important feeding ground will be lost, for no good reason."

Several objectors also said that the creation of a new access into the field could pave the way for potential housing developments in the future.

Planning officers at Ryedale District Council, however, said in their report: "The objection of the parish council and the concerns raised by neighbours have been noted.

"However, in the absence of objections from the Local Highways Authority and the Environmental Health Officer, it is not considered reasonable to refuse the application on matters of residential amenity or highway safety."

They recommend approval of the plans with conditions, including that the plan is only temporary for 12 months, to allow them to assess its impact.

Update: At its meeting on Tuesday night, the planning committee deferred a decision on the application in order to undertake a site visit.