A RETROSPECTIVE bid for a West Linton ‘dog park’ established without prior planning approval has been withdrawn after worried villagers raised fears that animal faeces could cause river contamination.

A planning bid for the change of agricultural land to use as a day care facility, erection of a bund, dog pens and formation of access and parking area on land opposite Cairnburn, at Station Road, has now been scrapped by the applicant in correspondence with Scottish Borders Council.

The application generated 41 objections, mainly from people who live locally, and 85 supporting comments, largely from people living further away commenting on the value of the business.

Concerns centred on the fact that the site is bordered by the Lyne Water and the Cairn burn, where the field is known to regularly flood.

Another issue raised was of dogs being allowed to run in a ‘private river’, amid fears it could contaminate the river with dog faeces, particularly downstream with the river being used by children and the Broomlee Centre.

Increased traffic, noise pollution, the impact on surrounding animals, parking on the pavement and children using this piece of the road to get to the primary school were other issues raised.

A report in support of the application from Ericht planning consultants, agent for the applicant, said: “The proposal is for a business which appropriate to the rural character of the area. The business will involve the employment of the applicant and his partner.

“The applicant currently operates a dog walking service in Peeblesshire but proposes to end this and move to day care provision.

“Consideration can be given to erecting windbreak green mesh on the elevations of the pens facing the public road if there is concern that visual disturbance to the dogs may occur and result in barking.

“This will reduce the likelihood of barking should traffic or people disturb the dogs.”