Babergh District Council has refused planning permission for a dog exercise meadow to be established on land in Freston next to a sensitive conservation and bird feeding area.

Nub News revealed the application for a change of use of land from agricultural to dog walking and the construction of a car park, along with the erection of fencing and a gate on the site at Freston Hill, by Mrs Jemma Dyter from Tuddenham Hall, last October.

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However, dozens of objections were lodged from neighbours, peninsula residents Coast & Heaths AONB, RSPB, and Suffolk Wildlife Trust among others, which included concerns over the noise made by up to a dozen dogs, which would affect the migratory and wintering birds along the foreshore Orwell, which is part of a Special Protected Area, and within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. 

Geese and ground nesting birds that regularly use the meadow already would be disrupted by the activity. 

Fencing and other borders would affect the views to and from the AONB, also contrary to policy.

Concerns over access, especially on to a known dangerous stretch of the B1456 between Freston Hill and the Strand, where there was recently a fatal collision.

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Planning officers, using delegated powers, refused the application on the grounds that the site is in a countryside location outside of any Settlement Boundary, within a National Landscape and adjacent to the Orwell Estuary SSSI as well as the Stour and Orwell Estuaries SPA and RAMSAR., which goes against Babergh's Joint Local Plan (JLP).

It was also considered not to be in accordance with policy LP12 through its location, impact on the character of the area, ecological impacts and the lack of additional enjoyment of the countryside.

The introduction of a 1.9m-high fence would require the existing vegetation to be grown to two metres, which would enclose the site, disrupting its open character, reducing the enjoyment of the countryside from within it. Parked vehicles would also be visible on this elevated site.

The proposed site is not located in a sustainable area with public transport provisions. No information has been submitted regarding ecology and it cannot therefore be demonstrated that there would not be a significant impact on the designated sites.

It was also deemed that the site is adjacent to the Orwell Estuary SSSI as well as the Stour and Orwell Estuaries SPA and RAMSAR.

The reports stated: "It also has the potential presence of protected and priority species including reptiles and stag beetles. The site is also potentially suitable for farmland birds, like skylarks, to be present. The proposal has not been supported by sufficient ecological information to satisfactorily demonstrate that there would not be a significant impact on the designated sites.

"There has also been no attempt made to identify or pursue measurable biodiversity net gain. The proposal is therefore considered contrary to policies SP09 and LP16 of the Joint Local Plan, and paragraphs 186 and 188 of the NPPF. The council would also not be able to demonstrate its compliance with its statutory duties under S40 of the NERC Act 2006."

Full details of the decision and application can be found on the Babergh planning website using reference: DC/23/04391.