Always on
This project successfully funded on 13th April 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Save Crowborough Dog Field – Fund the Appeal
Uckfield, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Aim
Fund a planning appeal to keep Crowborough’s secure dog field open for local families and responsible dog owners.
I’m Assaff Rawner, owner of The Dog Walking Field – Crowborough. I created the field to provide a safe, secure, and managed space for local dog owners — particularly people with rescue dogs, reactive dogs, dogs in training, and families who cannot safely use busy public parks or pavements, and help dogs run free without a lead.
The field operates on a strict booking system of one booking per hour. That means traffic is minimal, predictable, and spread out — typically a single vehicle arriving and leaving once per hour. There is no open access, no overlapping bookings, and no congregation of users.
A Godsend for Locals
For many, the field is useful, for others it's a godsend. Here is what Wendy had to say: We have just started to walk family dogs here. It is such a lovely safe place to let them run. I have rheumatoid arthritis, spinal arthritis and multiple operations including 2 knee replacements. I pay a dog walker for 2 dogs twice a week, but can’t afford it more often.
Using this field has been amazing for me, my family and our dogs. Please don’t close it down. It is one of a few places I can enjoy being outside with my dogs and even has a seat that I can use when I need to. 🐾🐾🐾
What’s happened
The council asked us to submit a planning application for change of use to a dog field. During the planning process, the council raised a concern about the site access being on a national speed limit road. While the road is technically subject to the national speed limit, the reality on the ground is very different. At the location of the access, the road geometry naturally restricts speed, and average vehicle speeds are around half the posted limit. Local users report very low speeds, traffic volumes are low, and there is no history of incidents related to the access.
When this issue was raised, we offered to commission an independent traffic and speed survey to provide objective, professional evidence of how the road actually operates in practice. The council declined to wait for this evidence, even though per the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) they should have worked with the applicant, instead they issued a refusal, and then moved straight to enforcement.
The council has now issued a Stop Notice from the 20th February. This requires the field to close immediately and, crucially, prevents us from operating even while the planning appeal is under way. This is an extreme and disproportionate step, as the appeal process exists to resolve disputes fairly — not to shut down low-impact community facilities before evidence can be tested.
Our vision
Our aim is not expansion or intensification. It is simply to defend a low-traffic, well-managed local facility and have the decision assessed on real-world evidence rather than assumption.
Why we are crowdfunding
A planning appeal is costly, and the Stop Notice removes all operating income for the duration of the appeal. We are crowdfunding to ensure the appeal can be prepared and argued properly, with independent professional evidence.
How the funds will be used
Funds raised will go towards
- Planning appeal preparation and submission
- Independent highways and traffic survey
- Professional planning and technical advice
- Legal and enforcement-related costs
This appeal is about fairness, proportionality, and evidence. If you’ve used the field, rely on safe dog-walking spaces, or believe local decisions should reflect reality on the ground, your support will directly help achieve that
And Another User Comment
*This The Dog Walking Field has been a godsend- it has allowed me to walk my dogs safely- the environment is clean and well maintained- the road is not busy I have driven at various times- the entrance is safe from both sides. The field lets my dogs run freely without the fear of other dogs or people*
All Funding is Credited - We Credit Your Donations
We believe in giving back, so all your additional donations will be credited to you as dog field sessions, when that fine day of a successful appeal arrives. You can select any of the options below, and any additional donation made will be credited to your account £ for £.
Thank You So Much
Assaff, Tagley & The Dog Walking Field Team
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made