Doddington caravan and camping site is looking to diversify with dog exercise area available for public hire

A successful caravan and camping site in a Fenland village is looking to diversify with a dog walking area.

Charlie Broughton has applied for permission for a change of use of land for dog walking areas including fencing, a shelter, and a car park at his Fields End Water site in Benwick Road, Doddington.

A design and access statement drawn up by Peter Humphrey Associates and submitted to Fenland District Council in support of the application explains Mr Broughton runs the successful business, which was last extended in 2021 with extra pitches, glamping pods, and a large lake.

Shortly afterward, an off-lead dog exercise area was created on a vacant parcel of agricultural land between the old and new camping site for those staying at the site to use.

The statement explains the aim of the application is to regularise the use of that area, and also proposes a new/additional community dog exercise area.

This area will be open to the public for private bookings and will include a large dog exercise area, agility equipment, customer shelter and customer parking.

The statement says: “The ‘dog off the lead’ exercise area for customers is retrospective, and will remain as existing. The community dog exercise area is proposed, adding diversification to the business, and an asset for the wider community who can use the facility.”

The land to be used is currently an agricultural field and the proposed exercise area will not be floodlit and will only be available to hire during daylight hours.

It will only take one booking at a time, so it is estimated there will be a limited number of dogs using it at any time.

A new vehicular access is proposed off the existing track along with a car park to ensure cars do not impede the existing access track.

The exercise area will be fenced in.