Great Budworth Dog Park faces closure after council decision

Great Budworth Dog Park has seen its retrospective change of use application rejected by Cheshire East Council.

Stefi Szczerba, owner of the park, says she is ‘devastated’ by the decision.

She added: “The decision not only means taking away a facility that the local community need so desperately and has come to depend upon but is also taking away our livelihood.

“We have put so much time, money and effort into this business to create something that we take great pride in.

“We hoped the council would have supported small businesses, especially in a time of financial crisis and when there is such a strong need.”

The application received a great deal of public support (Image: Supplied)

The park, off Georges Lane, is used by a wide variety of people, including pet owners with disabilities and mobility issues and rescue dogs who can’t be let off their leads.

Many of these users shared their support for the application, submitted in June.

One regular said: “Great Budworth Dog Park is a godsend to us and our beautiful but nervous rescue dogs.

“When you contrast that total of zero negatives to the amount of positives it brings to the local community and to the people of Northwich in general, the fantastic facilities and service provided and the joy and wellbeing of our beautiful furry family members, it beggars belief that there's even a question over this.”

Another added: “I really hope this does not get shut down as it's a fabulous natural facility that is of great benefit.”

A third said: “We have always been struck by the undoubted benefits and foresight that this positive facility offers and believe that it would be detrimental to lose the Dog Park.

“It represents a responsible, unobtrusive, well-conceived and managed beneficial asset which we believe should be encouraged.”

Despite this, on July 25 Cheshire East Council turned down the application.

In a report outlining the decision, case officer Melissa Martin said it would be ‘harmful’ to the Green Belt.

She added: “The development would not preserve the openness of the Green Belt as it would increase the amount of activity and traffic generation on and to the site beyond the previous agricultural use.”

The case officer said the park is 'harmful' to the Green Belt (Image: Supplied)

Stefi argues the extra traffic is ‘minimal’ and notes that other dog parks have been approved, despite doing nothing differently to her own.

“We opened up our land during Covid for people to be able to come and enjoy the benefits of the green belt, the security of our field and the beautiful location we are lucky enough to live in,” she said.

“People should be able to come and enjoy the green belt and the benefits it has. That is what it’s there for.”

Stefi added: “We don’t understand the reasoning for the decision and are trying to get in touch with the case officer to get a better understanding and to see if we can work with the council to overcome any issues they see.

“We can’t see what we are doing wrong and hope that we can work with the council to find a solution that will work for everybody.

“To lose this would be a great loss.”