Plans for a dog exercising facility on a farm have been thrown out.

The applicant, who runs a doggy day care business on Arki’s Farm in Great Missenden, submitted plans to change the use of the farm to ‘agricultural and dog exercise’.

In the planning statement, Richard Pain, the agent for the applicant, wrote: “The applicant has run a doggy day care business for eight years and the business has been carried on at the farm since 2016.

“The business… provides a much-needed service to the local community, enabling dog owners to carry out daily work commitments by providing during the day a high standard of care for their dogs.

“There is a positive influence on the welfare of the dogs who have plenty of exercise under supervision.”

Mr Pain added: “There is no conflict between the use of the farm and the adjoining agricultural land.

“The openness of the area will not be affected by the change of use.”

The online planning statement added that the farm is accessed by a private road and there has been “no increase in traffic to the farm as the applicant runs a drop and collect service i.e. the dogs are collected from and dropped off at the client’s homes”.

But Buckinghamshire Council’s planning officers refused the plans, saying they would “result in harm to neighbouring amenities” and could cause an “unacceptable level of noise”.

They wrote in their decision letter: There are three residential properties and a residential care home within approximately 85m of the boundary of the land subject to this application.

“The façade of the nearest residential property is approximately 54m from the boundary where dogs could be exercising, and the boundary of two of the residential properties directly borders onto the land subject to this application.

“Whilst there is some background noise from A413, this is generally a quiet and peaceful location.

“It is considered that the proposed use would result in an unacceptable level of noise which would be detrimental to neighbouring amenities.”

They added: “Given the peaceful nature of this area, historical impact of a few noisy dogs on noise sensitive receptors, and close proximity of residential properties to the boundary of the area proposed for use as dog day care, it is considered that this change of use would be detrimental to the amenity of nearby residents.”

The applicant was also told it is not clear when the existing agricultural buildings, used to provide shelter and rest areas for the dogs, were erected or “whether they are lawful”.

The letter added: “Furthermore, it is evident that a number of mobile agricultural buildings (including caravans/containers) have also been placed on the land as stables/shelters and for storage of agricultural machinery and fodder.

“None of these buildings/structures have been included within this application and so an assessment has not been made as to whether these buildings/structures are lawful or require planning permission.”