Dog walking fields, day care and kennels.
Dog fields and day care are among the most common small rural applications. Their traffic is modest and predictable, and we set it out in a way the council can rely on.
Main guide: Site access design
Secure dog walking fields work on booked slots, while day care and kennels have morning and evening drop-off. Both are usually on lanes, so the access and parking are the focus.
What the council focuses on
The number of visits per day, overlap between bookings, parking space so cars do not wait on the lane, access visibility and the suitability of the approach road.
The evidence that answers it
- Booking slots or drop-off times with maximum numbers.
- A small car park sized for changeover between slots.
- Access visibility and lane assessment.
- Collection vans for day care, where used.
Catteries and kennels
Boarding businesses have peaks at weekends and holidays. Appointment-based drop-off keeps them manageable, and we show this in the evidence.
What the application usually needs
- A short access and parking note.
- Booking slots or drop-off times.
- A small car park sized for changeovers.
- Access visibility, often to measured speeds.
- A note on the approach road.
A typical case
A typical case is a secure dog walking field on a farm, with hourly booked slots. The highway authority asks about cars on the lane and visibility at the field gate. We show a maximum of a few cars an hour, size a small car park for changeover between slots, and improve visibility at the access.
Technical points
Dog fields work on booked slots, so traffic is low and predictable. Day care and kennels have morning and evening drop-off peaks, sometimes reduced by collection vans. Catteries have seasonal peaks around holidays.
Gates at a dog field should be set back from the road so a car can pull in clear of the lane while the driver opens them. A turning area means vehicles do not reverse out. Where there is already a field access used by farm vehicles, we compare the existing use with the new one, which often shows only a small change.
If highways raise concerns
Concerns usually relate to visibility at the field gate and cars waiting on the lane. A small car park sized for changeovers and improved visibility usually resolve them.
If a refusal has been issued, we review the reason and prepare evidence for a resubmission or appeal.
How we help
We prepare a short technical note with access and parking drawings, often all a scheme of this size needs.
The same questions arise in Scotland and Wales, where they are assessed against NPF4 and Scottish guidance or Planning Policy Wales and TAN 18 rather than the NPPF.
To get a quote, send us:
- The site address or a location plan.
- The booking slots or capacity.
- Photos of the access and lane.
- Any pre-application advice or highways comments you already have.
Questions we get asked
Does a dog walking field need a Transport Statement?
Rarely. A short access and parking note is usually enough.
How many cars will a dog field attract?
Usually one or two per slot. We show this from the booking pattern.
What visibility is needed at the field gate?
It depends on speeds. A speed survey often helps.
Do kennels raise different issues?
Mainly drop-off peaks and seasonal demand.
Can you help if the council has refused a dog field?
Yes. We review the reason and prepare evidence.
Related guidance.
Related services: Site access design · Visibility splay calculator · Transport Statements.
Guidance and sources
- GOV.UK: National Planning Policy FrameworkEngland. National policy on transport in planning decisions.
- GOV.UK: Travel Plans, Transport Assessments and StatementsEngland. Planning guidance on proportionate transport evidence.
Sources checked 8 November 2026. General information, not advice on a specific site.
Got a site in mind?
Send us the location and what is proposed. We will tell you what the council is likely to ask for, with a fixed fee.