SPACE for “sensitive or nervous dogs” or new dog owners could be created near Meadowmill.

Plans have been lodged with East Lothian Council to create a private space for people to walk their dogs.

The application would see agricultural land at the site, to the south of Meadowmill Cottages, transformed into a new facility.

An operational statement with Margaret Firth’s application states: “The Meadowmill Dog Park will provide a safe and secure enclosed dog walking facility to visiting members of the public.

“The former vacant/waste agricultural land will offer a private space that will be booked in advance for exclusive use.

“The dog park(s) will cater for new dog owners and puppies, sensitive or nervous dogs, or dogs that have poor recall and cannot be left off lead safely.

“Users of the dog park(s) will be able to relax in the knowledge that their dog is in a safe place and able to run free within an enclosed space without being disturbed (or disturbing others).”

Three separate dog parks would be created with a 1.8-metre-high fence.

There would be at least one responsible adult and up to four dogs per session at the park.

Booking is in 50-minute slots, with a 10-minute window either side to avoid crossover.

Opening hours would be from 8am to 9pm Monday to Saturday from April to September, and from 8am to 7pm from September to March.

The operational document notes: “A member of staff will be available at all times the dog park is in use to deal with queries from first-time users, emergencies, booking issues and customers who have turned up at the wrong time, for example.”