A POPULAR dog exercising area which was opened almost two years ago has been told it must close.

Bob Hill, 57, of Delph farm, Clayton, opened Hound Land on his own private, two-acre field.

For £5 per half hour people can take their dogs for an off-lead run around and training in safety and away from other dogs.

But in July last year he was given notice to quit by Bradford Council’s enforcement officers.

“People really appreciated the chance to bring their dogs for a run around. The dogs didn’t bark or make a noise.

“My field is next to a recreation ground where people are always walking their dogs and these dogs are always barking and fighting.

“I appealed the decision straight away but the planning inspector upheld the enforcement and I have been told I must close.

“The appeal cost me £3,000. I could go to the High Court but I expect that would be very expensive. I would hope instead that the Council give me a certificate of lawful use.

“This is my income and I am offering a much wanted service.”

Terri Brown, who uses Hound Land to exercise her six huskies, said she was sad to hear it was ordered to close.

“I was disabled for some time and it was the only accessible place I could take my dogs. I could not have coped without that place.

“Huskies are lovely dogs but they don’t have very good recall and you can’t always let them off the lead in public places.

“This place was perfect and I am really sad at the decision. It will be a great loss.

“We need somewhere like that.”

Planning inspector AU Ghafoor said he based his decision to uphold the enforcement notice for reasons that it has harmful implications for the green belt in terms of “inappropriateness, erosion of openness and encroachment into the countryside”.

He said sound generated from people “coming and going to and from the site” is likely to disturb neighbours. He also states the site is accessed via a bridleway known as Holts Lane, and that the scale and extent of the site’s use has the potential to increase to risk to other highway users including horse riders, cyclists and walkers.

Mr Ghafoor concluded: “I have upheld the enforcement notice and refused to grant planning permission on the deemed application.”

Friend Andy Smith has started a petition to Bradford Council to allow the continuation of Hound Land at which has gained more than 1,500 signatures since it was started last Friday.