A dog walking paddock and training facility in Swinton is expected to be approved by Rotherham councillors after planning officers ruled that an intensification of activity on the site now requires formal permission.

Rotherham Council’s planning board will consider the application at their next meeting on November 27.

According to a report to the meeting, the land around Strawberry Cottage on Blackamoor Road has been used for dog exercise and training for several years, but officers say the scale of use has grown to the point that it constitutes a material change of use.

The 0.9-hectare site sits within the Green Belt and includes woodland to the rear of the cottage and open land facing Blackamoor Road.

While no new buildings are proposed, the applicant intends to formalise operations and create an overspill parking area behind an existing wall.

More than 300 comments were submitted during consultation, most of them in support. Customers praised the service as professional and beneficial to the local dog-owning community.

Around nine objections were lodged, mainly from residents to the north and east of the site, who raised concerns about dogs barking, the accuracy of a one-day noise survey, parking pressures, traffic movements and the proximity of sessions to homes and walkers.

The council’s report notes that not all dog noise in the area can be attributed to the training paddocks. A noise survey carried out as part of the application recorded barking from dogs on nearby public land, including Pottery Ponds, which is used throughout the day by walkers and other dog owners.

Environmental health officers said this made it difficult to distinguish between noise coming from the business and noise generated by general activity in the surrounding area.

Planning officers conclude that the use represents an acceptable form of outdoor recreation in the Green Belt and would not significantly affect its openness.

They say the scheme would not cause unacceptable harm to residential amenity, traffic safety or heritage assets, provided conditions are met.

The recommendation to approve the application will be considered by councillors at next week’s meeting.