A ‘PAW-SOME’ new adventure park for dogs has taken a stride forward.

Three sets of plans for dog activity parks and sensory gardens for a site on the edge of Pencaitland have been given the green light by East Lothian Council.

The 4.1-hectare site on Spilmersford Mains Farm, north of the A6093, could be transformed under the plans from The Hood Partnership.

East Lothian Council’s planning department approved the plans but included the condition that the permission only be in place initially for one year.

That is to allow any complaints that might arise due to noise to be monitored and assessed.

The scheme is split into three, with customers able to hire a field, while there will also be socialisation sessions and training sessions.

According to documents with the planning application: “Our customers will be a mixture of professional dog walkers and dog trainers using the adventure fields for both exercise and training with their client base.

“We also expect to welcome the dog-owning general public who are seeking a private and secure space to let their dog off the lead whilst also benefiting from an enriching experience within the sensory and agility zones.

“After opening, we envisage eventually moving to a membership-based access system and have hopefully successfully built a community of like-minded users.

“All owners and dogs will be met for a compulsory induction session, where certificates of vaccinations (or titer tests) will be required and recorded, with reminders sent out when they expire.”

A similar design will be used in each field, with dog agility equipment to allow the pets to improve their sense of balance and improve their strength and fitness.

The supporting information in the planning application notes: “Effectively designed much like a children’s adventure playground, the parks are designed to stimulate the dogs mentally and physically.

“The sensory ‘sniff’ gardens are packed full of natural smells and textures that help reduce a dog’s stress and anxiety.

“They will be enclosed within a wooden fence and feature a field shelter and picnic table for customers to relax and enjoy their surroundings while their dog plays.

“The agility zone is full of balancing equipment and a range of platforms to allow dogs to climb, explore and use up some of their stored up energy.”

The council’s planning department did not receive any objections to the proposals.

However, planning officers agreed to put in a condition about potential noise complaints, adding: “If after that one-year period there are no statutory noise nuisance issues then the environmental protection manager would have no objection to the use of the land as a dog adventure park on a permanent basis.”

Ralph Averbuch, chairman of Pencaitland Community Council, wished those behind the plans well.

He said: “If there is a demand for it and if they think there is a market for it, then good for them and best of luck.

“If it is not being actively used for farming then it is better it is put to some use than not.”