The proposed development, comprising a dog walking area with associated hardstanding car parking, fencing, and landscaping, is located within the open countryside outside but physically well related to the settlement boundary. In the absence of any evidence demonstrating an essential need for the development in this countryside location, the proposal conflicts with policy CO1. While the site's relationship to the settlement boundary of Cheddar and the limited part-time employment generated reflect two of the objectives of policy D15 to a limited degree, policy D15 requires that all its objectives be met for small-scale employment development outside settlement boundaries. This is not achieved in this case, and therefore policy D15 does not offer support for the proposal. Reason: Inappropriate devleopment within the countryside with no justification for its need being supplied, as such this contrary to CO1 and D15 of the Sedgemoor Local Plan 2011-2032.

In the absence of adequate speed survey data, the application fails to demonstrate that a safe and suitable vehicular access can be achieved, contrary to Policies D13 and D14 of the Local Plan. Furthermore, without the provision of a continuous pedestrian footway connecting to the site, the development would not enable safe access for pedestrians. Reason: Contrary to Policies D13 and D14 of the Sedgemoor Local Plan 2011-2032 and paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

The proposed change of use of land to form a dog recreational field by virtue of its location, size and introduction of man-made materials would have a detrimental impact on the protected Mendip National Landscape. Reason: The proposal would have a visual impact on the protected Mendip National Landscape contrary to D2 and D19 of the Sedgemoor Local Plan 2011-2032 and paragraph 189 of the National Planning Policy Framework.