Plans to create a commercial dog-walking area in the countryside have been submitted to Maidstone council.

The proposal is to convert a field off Shenley Road in Headcorn into two fenced paddocks to give dog owners the opportunity to exercise their pets away from the general public.

Trevor Heathcote, of FGS Agri Ltd, based at Stanford Bridge Farm in Pluckley, said he would operate a booking system and ensure no more than four dogs would be present in either paddock at any one time.

His planning application includes the provision of a 10-vehicle car park to be created using ”grasscrete” or a similar material, to retain the rural appearance.

There would also be waste bins, including provision for dog waste.

The site, close to Headcorn Aerodrome, is within an area of Local Landscape Value.

The application suggests the dog-walking park would be open between 7am and 7pm each day but only during daylight hours. There is no lighting proposed for the venture.

The application can be viewed here.

Application number 23/502786 refers.