Plans to turn a field near Temple Balsall into a private dog walking space have been turned down by the council which said it was an inappropriate use of the green belt.

The scheme would have seen the field off Cuttle Pool Lane changed from agricultural use to a private dog walking area to allow customers to let their dogs run safely.

No buildings would have been built, and the application explained that customers would book to use the two hectare field one at a time.

The application said only one car would be on site at a time and that customers would be able to book 50 minute slots for their pets.

It said this service was needed as more owners find taking their dogs to parks "stressful".

"With more distractions from the increased number of people, not completely secure boundaries and other potentially more aggressive dogs that may run up to them, not forgetting the huge increase in media reports of more and more dog thefts all making owners turn more to private fields to walk their dogs," the application said.  

It added: "The site would be used as a dog walking field for private hire. Bookings will be made online or via the phone and offer exclusive sole use of the field for the client. 

"No other customers will be in the field at the same time. 

"The operation will be simple in that the customers drive up to the gate, open it using the passcode they have been given.

"The clients will close the gate after entry and the dog(s) will have the freedom to run around."

A previous scheme for Cuttle Pool Lane had included two cabins, but it was refused by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

The decision was then upheld by the planning inspector on appeal, with concerns raised about the impact on the green belt.

But despite the second scheme removing the need for any new buildings on the site, SMBC still turned it down.

A council report said: "The proposed change of use of the land to a dog walking field represents inappropriate development in the green belt. 

"The proposal would cause harm by definition to the green belt, and would have a significantly greater intensity and cause significant harm to openness of the green belt compared to the existing use of the site. 

"The very special circumstances put forward do not clearly outweigh the harm to the green belt by reason of inappropriateness and the harm to the openness of the green belt."

It also said the location was not in an accessible location and that the car access was "below standard".