Plans to create a dog adventure park in East Cleveland have been refused.

The plans aimed to convert agricultural land off Grewgrass Lane, New Marske, and would have seen the site surrounded by 1.8 metre high open mesh boundary fencing, with 14 car parking spaces also being created.

They were turned down on a delegated decision basis by Redcar and Cleveland Council, not having been considered by councillors.

The application by Matthew Pybus, of Gilling Way, Redcar, was said to contravene the planning authority’s Local Plan as a safe means of access onto Grewgrass Lane, which has a 60mph speed limit, could not be demonstrated.

The council said it had advised the applicant of its concerns, but no amendments were submitted to the plans.

An officer’s report described how the park would be used for dog training with bookings being taken for hourly slots operating from 7am to 8pm, as daylight allows.

Referring to the impact on highway safety, it said the junction with Grewgrass Lane from an access track would require widening to allow two vehicles to pass.

The report referred to visibility “splays” and said the splay to the north was not currently achievable, while that to the south “fell well short”.

It said: “The applicant will need to show the required visibility splay to the south either by acquiring, or having control over third party land to ensure this is maintained for perpetuity, given the intensification of use of this existing access. 

“In this instance the land required to provide the necessary visibility splay is not defined as being within the control of the applicant and therefore cannot reasonably be conditioned to be provided.”

Both ward councillors – Councillor Vera Rider and Councillor Andrea Turner – had objected.

Cllr Turner said there was little detail to the plans and she had concerns about parking, the visual impact, the suitability of the fencing, the impact on neighbours and the suitability of the access track.

She wrote: “The suggested opening and closing times 7am – 8pm seven days a week would cause serious noise and disturbance to the residents from both traffic, dogs barking and privacy .

“A dog adventure park is not necessary and not what the community needs.” 

Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council had objected as well, stating the planned adventure park would not be in keeping with the area.

It raised concerns over access and claimed the proposed fencing was not suitable for dogs.

Separately, some councillors in Redcar and Cleveland have called for more designated areas in which dog owners can exercise their pets and allow them to run free.

This after restrictions were put in place last year at many formal parks and gardens meaning dogs can be only walked on leads with those not abiding by the rules at risk of receiving a £100 on the spot fine.