Do I need planning permission to open a dog park?

The council is right that you generally need planning permission to change the use of land, even if there are no physical changes or building works. But is walking a few dogs on a field really a change of use? It depends on the dog walking. If your business has grown to the point that the site looks more like a dog walking arena than an agricultural field, then a change of use has probably occurred. There is a big difference in someone walking a few dogs occasionally on a casual basis, and a more formalised business where the character of the field has changed, and the field can no longer practically be used for farming. You should consider applying for a certificate of lawfulness, a form of application asking the council to confirm that what you are doing does not amount to a change of use. You will need to complete an application form and submit a site plan along with detailed information on exactly what happens at the site. If your dog walking activities are of a nature that they represent a change of use, you should scale them back so that they fit in better in a rural area.

When you fence and enclose an agricultural field and start using it for dog walking, you have changed the use of that field, away from agriculture. This Change of Use requires planning consent. You can change the use of land for up to 28 days per year without needing permission. For more than 28 days per year it is a change of use from agriculture to sui generis dog walking field, and so will require planning permission. Most local authorities will support Farm Diversification and new rural enterprise projects. However, you will need to give consideration to the impacts of noise and traffic and make sure that the location is appropriate. Main things to consider include Highways / access, Impact on residential amenity, Noise impact, Designations, Hardstanding for parking, Visual amenity, Waste disposal, Any buildings required, Flood risk.