Plea to keep dogs under control in the countryside

AS the weather starts to warm up, the CLA in the North is asking dog owners to keep their animals either under strict control or on leads while on walks in the countryside.

The call comes in the midst of the lambing season, when pregnant ewes can abort if they become stressed by loose dogs. Birds that nest on the ground and other wildlife are also at risk, with their young vulnerable if parents are scared away.

CLA North Director of Policy & Public Affairs Douglas Chalmers said:- "The majority of farmers and landowners are happy to welcome walkers who adhere to the Countryside Code. Most people are very understanding and walk with their dogs on leads near livestock; but there are some who do not even consider doing this. Dogs should always be under close control when walked on farmland, and unless the dog stays closely to heel, this normally means that it should be on a lead. A lead should always be used when close to livestock."

Mr Chalmers is also reminding dog owners to clean up their pets' mess because of a deadly parasite which can be picked up from grass infected by dog faeces.

Mr Chalmers said:- "There may be no obvious symptoms in a dog, but the effects of the parasite Neospora caninum can be devastating in cattle and there is no known treatment. Even if there aren't any animals visibly grazing in a field, they may do in coming weeks, or the grass may be cut and used as feed through the winter."

Neospora caninum affects mainly cattle, dogs and other animals such as foxes, although it can also affect sheep, goats, deer and horses. The parasite lives in both dogs and cattle, but only reproduces in dogs. It can be transmitted to cattle which graze on grass infected by dog faeces. Once inside a cow the parasite is deadly, often resulting in abortion or the birth of premature, impaired or infected calves.

The CLA is campaigning for the Government to provide clear guidance to dog owners setting out their responsibilities and enable better understanding of the impact their animals can have on livestock and farming practices. The Association also wants the myriad of rules relating to dogs on different types of access land to be simplified.

Data obtained by Farmers Guardian and the National Sheep Association under Freedom of Information requests to UK Police forces says there were 739 dog attacks on livestock in 2012, up from 691 in 2011. There were 537 incidents of sheep being attacked and injured in 2012 compared to 301 in 2011.

"New planning guidance will boost brownfield development whilst protecting green belt and votes" according to DTZ

THE UK's Government's new National Planning Practice Guidance, which came into effect on Thursday, 6 March 2014, suggests a shift in the balance between the development of greenfield and brownfield sites, with economic and political implications.

Planning Minister Nick Boles' statement and the associated publication of National Planning Practice Guidance indicates a two-pronged approach to steering and delivering development. His statement that housing need/viability should not outweigh protection of Green Belt will appease Conservative Councils but frustrate house builders currently obtaining planning permission at appeal on this basis.

This is countered by measures to promote and enhance the viability of brownfield development. It indicates that Councils should look at the different funding mechanisms available to them to cover costs of bringing brownfield land back into use and to take a flexible approach in seeking levels of planning obligations and other contributions to ensure viability. In many cases this is likely to mean a reduction in affordable housing provision at brownfield sites.

However, the measures provide a significant boost to the owners and prospective developers of brownfield sites, particularly those with substantial remediation and enabling work costs.

Andrew Teage, Associate Director of Planning at DTZ in Manchester comments:- "Landowners and developers should now take the opportunity to speak with their local planning authority about the costs and constraints to developing brownfield sites and the financial assistance available. This may be in the form of subsidising site clean-up and infrastructure costs or reducing the burden of planning obligations such as the proportion of affordable housing in residential schemes. Overall, it is welcome that the Government has indicated fiscal and planning gain relief towards brownfield land development, whilst many people will support the Minister's reiteration of Green Belt protection. The acid test, however, will be whether sufficient housing to meet the country's needs can realistically be delivered on brownfield land."

So what do you our readers think about this?  Please email your views and ideas related to this issue to our newsroom via:- news24@southportreporter.com.