AN idea to transform the site of the former King George V play area into a new ‘off-lead’ area for dogs is still being explored by the town council.
A feasibility study to highlight the “pros and cons” of the idea is yet to be carried out, after which the town council will make a decision.
There were fears that the town council was set to drop the idea when mayor cllr Jon Hubbard referred to the ‘dog park’ as not part of the town council’s ‘masterplan’ for the King George V park, at last month’s asset management and amenities committee meeting.
A spokesperson for the town council said, “The King George V Sub Committee met on 17th March and passed a resolution to instruct officers to move this initiative forward.
“Officers have been tasked to carry out a feasibility study to highlight the pros and cons of the initiative and to investigate sources of funding to help finance the project.
“At a further meeting of the committee on 27th April, in response to concerns about flooding through the Lowbourne side of the playing fields, councillors further resolved to engage contractors to survey the area to resolve the drainage issues along the bund and leading to the base of the park, where the dog agility area is to be installed.”
It was suggested in March that dog agility equipment could be installed in the area, which could be purchased via grant funding or local business sponsorship.
The idea has been welcomed by local dog owners, who last year described the park’s current dog run, located next to the skate park, as “too small” and “not fit for purpose”.
