AN application to turn a large agricultural field in Nawton into two dog walking areas has been refused by Ryedale District Council - against the recommendation of planning officers.

The proposal - first discussed at a meeting in June but postponed to allow councillors to visit the site - was turned down by members of the planning committee at a meeting last Tuesday.

The plans involved dividing the area into two fields, which would both have been used for dog walking.

The application included plans for an access road into the site for pedestrians and vehicles off the A170 and a parking area.

According to the plans, dog owners would have been able to book access to the fields between the hours of 7am and 8pm every day.

Officers had recommended approval with conditions, including that the plan is only temporary for 12 months to allow them to assess its impact.

But the plans were contentious, raising nearly 30 objections from local residents, who cited concerns about increased traffic, the safety of the junction, and loss of residential amenity, and disturbance to local wildlife.

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.

The parish council lodged an objection to the plan, saying: “There are enough public rights of way/footpaths in and around the village for dog walking, either for long, short or medium walks.”

Refusing permission for the fields, members said that the reason was that the plans would have “a detrimental impact on locality and amenities of adjacent residents, contrary to the local plan strategy”.

The decision to turn it out was tight - with five members voting for, and four against, with one abstention.