Dog trainers; campaign ends in victory - Bournemouth Echo

12:30pm Saturday 23rd July 2011

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a “friendly” dog training club near New Milton from possible closure are celebrating after winning a vital step towards staying open.

Loyal supporters of the Friendly Dog Club at Barton-on-Sea launched a campaign against New Milton Town Council’s plans not to renew the lease for the building – The Dog House – at Becton Lane.

Owner Angela Horsley said although she owns the building, she pays rent for the lease of the land that the building is on.

New Milton Town Council was originally proposing not to renew the lease when it ran out at the end of January 2012.

But at a meeting of the finance and general purposes committee on Tuesday evening councillors overturned the recommendation, granting the dog club a five-year lease.

Angela, who has been running for the dog club for 18 years said: “We’re absolutely delighted and it is really testament to all the work everyone has put in. I still can’t believe it. What was nice was that all of the committee was behind us and it was really just working out the details of the lease that dominated the debate.

“We must have had 200 letters of support and more than 300 signatures on petitions.

“The first hurdle is completed. Obviously there are details to be ironed out and the decision still has to be approved by full council.”

She added: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who supported us. Not just the individuals but the local organisations as well.

“It has been through campaigning and local people throwing their weight behind us that this was possible.”

A full meeting of New Milton Town Council will take place on August 1.

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