RESIDENTS in Lymm are being encouraged to submit factual comments to Warrington Borough Council regarding a Certificate of Lawfulness application for green belt land on Pepper Street as a dog exercising field.
The application, ref 2026/00531/CLDE, was submitted by Mohammad Waheed and dated 29 April 2026. It seeks to confirm that the existing use of the land as a dog exercising field is lawful.
A Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing) is not a planning application for new development. It is a legal determination that asks the Council to confirm whether an existing use of land has been carried out continuously for a sufficient period to be immune from enforcement action. If granted, the certificate would regularise the current use of the site. It does not grant permission for housing, commercial buildings, or any other development.
The site is located within Lymm’s green belt, and the notice has prompted concern from some residents that the application could be a preliminary step towards future building on the land.
Local Councillor Graham Gowland said: “I’ve had plenty of people stop me on Pepper Street asking if this means houses are coming. It doesn’t. This is just about making the current dog field use official on paper. But I get why folks are nervous. We all want to protect Lymm’s green belt, so if you know how long that field has actually been used for dog exercise, make sure the Council hears from you before 21 May.
“Warrington Borough Council has confirmed that any future proposal to build on the site would require a separate, full planning application. That application would be assessed against national and local green belt policy, which only permits development in very special circumstances.
“For this specific application, the Council can only consider evidence relating to the length and continuity of the existing use as a dog exercising field. Matters such as traffic, loss of green space, or potential future housing are not material considerations for a Certificate of Lawfulness.”
Members of the public can view the application by visiting online.warrington.gov.uk/planning and searching for reference 2026/00531/CLDE. Comments can be submitted online through the planning portal, or by post to Development Management, East Annexe, Town Hall, Warrington WA1 1UH. All correspondence must quote the reference number and include the sender’s address.
For enquiries, the Development Management Support Team can be contacted on 01925 442819, Monday to Friday, 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
The deadline for comments is 21 days from the date of the notice, excluding Bank Holidays. The notice is dated 29 April 2026, making the deadline on or around Wednesday 21 May 2026.
The Council has advised that comments received after this date may not be taken into account.
