Thornberry Animal Sanctuary has been granted permission to use a field to train and rehabilitate rescue dogs.

Thornberry Animal Sanctuary, based in North Anston, has been granted permission by Rotherham Council to use a field in Ravenfield to exercise, train and rehabilitate rescue dogs.

The field, off Moor Lane North, is currently used for equestrian purposes and the site adjoins Hilldrecks View – a residential cul de sac.

The training will allow the dogs to be rehabilitated for future adoption, and the site will not be open to the general public.

Although the site is in the green belt, RMBC planning officers say the application warrants ‘very special circumstances’, as there is a lack of adequate space at Thornberry’s headquarters, and exercise and training are ‘essential’ to ensure the rescue dogs are suitable for adoption.

During today’s (April 11) meeting of the planning board, Helen Connelly, general manager at Thornberry Animal Sanctuary, said training would take place outside of school times, so as not to add to traffic.

Ms Connelly added that this year, Thornberry has taken in 10 stray dogs from the council, adding that they would have been put to sleep had the rescue centre not stepped in.

“When we take a stray dog….we have no history. We’re responsible for putting that dog into the community, knowing that it is safe.

“Without being able to work with a dog off lead it’s very, very difficult for us to be able to give that reassurance to the community that we are putting dogs out there that are safe.

“We take the safety of the public very seriously.”

Jane Sara, chair of the charity’s board of trustees, said the field would be a ‘crucial welfare provision’, due to a lack of space at the kennels.

She also apologised to the three objectors for a ‘discourteous’ lack of consultation.

The applicants will be required to erect a 2.2m acoustic fence around the site to absorb potential noise.

The plans were approved by a unanimous vote.

Thornberry Animal Sanctuary: Yorkshire animal rescue allowed to use Green Belt land for dog rehabilitation field