CIVIC chiefs have unveiled plans to provide extra facilities for walkers and dog owners by enlarging a Totton park.
The proposed extension to Bartley Park is part of a strategy that aims to combat the impact of new housing developments and the accompanying increase in the local population.
New Forest District Council has submitted an application to expand the park by turning an adjoining area of agricultural land into public open space.
The authority has already acquired the 3.6-acre site, which is bordered by housing, roads, and a railway line.
Its planning application says the extension will provide a substantial area of natural green space, enhancing the role Bartley Park already plays.
The scheme is said to have been supported by an "overwhelming majority" of people who took part in a public consultation.
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Proposals include a dog activity area that aims to encourage healthy exercise and responsible dog ownership by providing people with a designated facility near their homes.
The application says the trail is designed to "minimise conflicts" by providing "appropriate places" within the park for dog-related activities.
It adds: "In the same way that children’s play areas have to be designed to be safe and reduce the risk of getting hurt, the dog activity area follows similar principles by providing plenty of space around each activity, shady places to rest, with seats for owners and plenty of dog waste bins."
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The existing park is a popular area of informal open space on the western edge of Totton.
It boasts a raft of facilities for children and young people including a skatepark, a multi-use games area, and a zip wire.
The proposed extension follows increasing concern about the impact of leisure activities on internationally-designated sites across the New Forest.
Work will be funded by developers' contributions - money provided by housebuilders to help reduce the disturbance caused by increases in the local population.
The application says: "The proposals seek to deliver a useful asset for local people to use on a regular basis.
"They will supplement the existing open space by offering additional walking and dog walking routes, creating an interesting, natural place that enhances the biodiversity of the area, encourages responsible dog ownership through convenient and locally available facilities, and enhances the positive characteristic of the area."
Totton councillor David Harrison said: "This is a really positive thing. Bartley Park is a much-loved area, both for recreational use and a wonderful environment for nature.
"I have been supporting friends of Bartley Park for some years. The volunteers have put in hundreds of hours of work improving habitats."
A similar application to extend the park was approved by the council in 2018 but the scheme was never implemented.
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