A NEW dog training business can be established in a field in Sherfield English after plans were permitted.

It will be an off-leash dog exercise facility, on the land at Newtown Road.

Test Valley Borough Council's southern area planning committee permitted the plan on January 31. 

Sherfield English Parish Council objected to the plan, submitted by Miss O Hardy, on the grounds of potential noise and traffic impacts.

Graham Leigh, parish council chairman, said: “This is an area of ecological importance and it's a wildlife corridor. It will also cause noise pollution from dogs barking.”

John Hartley spoke on behalf of local residents. He said: “This is a case of the right business being put in the wrong place. The applicant has to determine if the business has to be in this location. This has been ignored.

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“It's a very special ancient meadow. It has been like this for around 200 years. We would welcome this business if it was in the right place. It should be in a place established as an employment area, not a greenfield site.”

Alice Drew, on behalf of the applicant, said: “There will be a maximum of four cars on site at a time. It would generate a small amount of additional traffic. Dog excrement will be regularly collected. I hope you will support the officer's recommendations.”

Cllr Alan Dowden said: “There has been no objection from ecology and environmental protection teams at the council. We've got nothing to go on, so we should permit this.”

The committee permitted the plan with eight votes for and two against.