Plans to create a new dog walking business in Lapworth have been thrown out following a flurry of objections from neighbours and the parish council.

Mogz and Dogz had applied for planning permission to convert some of the green belt site at Swallowfield Stud into a dog walking area, saying up to 35 pets would use the field on rotation on any given day.

Plans submitted to Warwick District Council said the scheme would create new jobs, and would run alongside the existing equestrian centre on site.

But the proposal was met with nearly 70 objections from locals, who raised concerns about the "unsustainable location", noise and said there would be no economic nor social benefit.

Lapworth Parish Council also objected to the application, saying the site was unsuitable and would create a lot of noise.

Assessing the application, the district council did not agree with all the objections.

"The development is not considered to represent 'inappropriate development' within the green belt, subject to conditions," a council report said. 

"Furthermore, the development is not considered to give rise to any harm to the character of the area."

It added: "When considering all the relevant material planning considerations within the planning balance officers consider that the proposal will result in economic benefits in the form of a new business operating from the site, providing a service to the local area and will result in the creation of new jobs."

However, council planners ultimately refused to grant planning permission.

"Notwithstanding the above, officers consider that the applicant has failed to demonstrate that the proposal will not result in harm to the occupiers of the closest neighbouring dwellings," they wrote.

In its application, Mogz and Dogz said a number of the outbuildings would be converted for the dog care and walking business, and a fence would also be installed as part of the new set up.

The dogs would only have been able to use the 2.7 acre field between the hours of 9am till 2pm.

The existing car park and entrance to the site would have been used.

"The proposal would support four permanent jobs in a rural area," the application said. 

"The use also provides an important service for customers of the business, enabling them to have their dogs exercised in a safe and secure environment whilst they continue to work from home, for example, so supporting their own economic activity. 

"The use provides a social benefit in allowing users of the business to have their dogs exercised and cared for whilst they are otherwise occupied. 

"This is likely to assist in the general wellbeing of the users of the facility as it provides them with the peace of mind that their pet can exercise in a safe and secure environment, as well as assisting with separation anxiety and maintaining routine in order that they are able to continue to have their pet."

See the full application here.