Farm's plan to open swimming pool for dogs

The owners of a farm and dog exercise park have applied to build a canine swimming pool on their land.

Rebecca Lazenby has asked Bradford Council for permission to open the temporary structure during the summer months.

She and her husband want to diversify the business they run alongside their livery yard in the village of Idle.

A decision is expected later this month on the proposal for the 55,000-litre pool that would operate between April and September.

The dog exercise business has been running for three years with full planning consent.

Mrs Lazenby said: "The livery yard will stay, it'll work in between everything.

"We're not a big enough farm to do beef or dairy, so we've just got to keep things going, but in a different way.

"We thought we just wanted to diversify a bit more, but keep it more canine-based.

"Bring in a temporary, above-ground pool for over the summer for people to come down to use. They can even get in with their dogs if they want."

The application states the pool would provide "a safe, managed environment" for the "training and recreational swimming of dogs".

It said the scheme had been designed to be low-impact, seasonal and fully reversible and "compatible" with the site's agricultural character and rural setting.

Mrs Lazenby said: "We're not taking anything away because it sits above ground and it's temporary. It'll come down over winter and be removed.

"The pool will have multiple uses because it can be recreational, but also it can be good for hydrotherapy for dogs that are recovering from illness.

"It's just another brilliant thing for local dogs or for dogs from a bit further afield."

She said if planning permission is granted then the couple hoped to have the pool open by early May.

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