Farmers have the land. Dog owners need the space. A small change to UK planning law could make it simple to connect the two.
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farmers signed
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dog owners signed
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The problem
Across the UK, farmers have unused paddocks and marginal fields that earn nothing. Dog walking is a clean, low-impact use — and the demand is there.
Renting a fenced field to dog walkers for more than 28 days a year requires full planning permission — the same process as putting up a permanent building.
Farmers give up before they start. Dog owners can't find safe off-lead space. A straightforward opportunity for both sides goes nowhere.
The ask
Across the UK, farmers are sitting on small parcels of unused land — awkward corners, marginal fields, paddocks that earn nothing and benefit no one. Dog owners, meanwhile, are desperate for safe, secure off-lead space. It should be simple to connect the two. It isn't.
Under current UK law, any farmer who wants to rent a fenced field to dog walkers for more than 28 days a year must apply for full planning permission — the same lengthy, costly process required to erect a permanent building. So the land sits unused. The dogs stay on leads. And a straightforward opportunity for farmers to earn extra income goes nowhere.
We're asking the government to change that. Specifically, to extend Class R permitted development rights — which already allow agricultural buildings to be repurposed without full planning permission — to cover open land used for dog walking. A simple prior approval process instead of months of applications, surveys, and uncertainty. Small change in the law. Big difference on the ground.
There's a live government consultation on farm diversification planning reform.
Read the DEFRA consultation on farm diversification ↗(opens gov.uk)
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Sign to show that farmers want a simpler route to diversifying into dog walking.
Sign to show the demand is there — dogs and owners are waiting for more safe off-lead space.
Help the campaign reach more people
Pre-filled copy: “Help UK farmers open their fields to dogs 🐾 — sign the SnoopPaws campaign and share it:”
A campaign by SnoopPaws — the free booking platform for dog field hosts.