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A farmer has been graced for his dog-walking business, more than five years after taking on his first client.
Tristan Russell gave the impression to Maidstone Council’s plans committee this week of applying for retroactive permission for the safe driving diversity he has created on former farmland opposite his farm on Summerhill Road, Marden.
His wife, Cllr Claudine Russell, a cabinet member of the council on recreation and networked arts, apologized from the chamber as her husband’s candidacy was debated.
In his written submissions to the commission, Mr Russell, who is running as a Conservative candidate in May’s town council election, said: “I can only apologise for not having realised beforehand that in order to make plans you needed permission to replace them in use. “
But he said: “The site is nice and does not detract from the appearance or amenities of the domain and I hope it will be an advantage in preventing dog abuse accidents, whether walking on public trails or incidents with livestock. “
Russell accepted his first client in December 2018.
It costs the dogs £6 an hour to train their pets on the half-hectare site, which is solidly fenced.
In addition to legitimizing the existing use, Mr. Russell is requesting permission to expand the training domain and build a two-space parking garage near the existing entrance.
Officials said the request deviated from the local plan because it was contrary to policies restricting progress into the countryside.
They admitted, however, that the visual replacement of the box was minimal and well concealed by the hedges, and that an exception could be made to the planning policy.
Councilman Tony Harwood (Liberal Democrat) proposed as a minor additional condition that small gaps be left in the fence to allow hedgehogs and other animals to pass through.
Authorization was granted unanimously.
Learn more about the plan-making programs that apply to you in the Public Notice Portal.
The dog walking box can be operated in sunlight and at most between 7:00 a. m. and 7:00 p. m.
There is no lighting on site. Business should be limited to 4 dogs at a time.
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