A proposal to convert a stretch of agricultural land north of Oakham into rentable dog-walking paddocks has been submitted to Rutland County Council, reflecting a wider push among farm businesses to diversify their income streams.
The application, filed on behalf of the landowner by agent Savills, seeks permission to turn 5.2 acres of a field west of Ashwell Road into three secure, enclosed paddocks where dog owners could pay to let their pets roam off the lead. The land is currently used for agricultural purposes.
Diversifying the Farm Business
According to Savills, the paddocks would have a minimal impact on the surrounding environment while helping to diversify the farm’s operations and meeting what it describes as local demand for dedicated dog-walking spaces. The application states that no permanent buildings would be constructed as part of the project, and the only ecological impact would come from the removal of some hedgerow. Savills also notes that the paddocks could be converted back to agricultural use in the future if necessary.
The plans arrive amid a broader trend of farmland diversification in the area, a shift that Rutland County Councillor Andrew Brown, who is himself a farmer, has previously highlighted. That trend has been linked to pressures facing agricultural businesses, including more difficult growing conditions and reduced government support payments.
How the Paddocks Would Operate
Under the proposal, each paddock would be bookable by a single user at a time, for sessions lasting between 30 and 60 minutes. A small number of staff would be on-site to supervise the grounds throughout the day.
No lighting is planned for the paddocks, meaning operating hours would shift with the seasons. The application anticipates that, at the longest point in the year, the paddocks could be open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The proposal is still subject to approval by Rutland County Council before any work could begin.
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