Dog breeder can expand business
A FRENCH bulldog breeding business has been given planning permission to expand despite concerns over potential noise and odour issues and lack of space to exercise the animals.
The business in Laleston, Bridgend, went before councillors sitting on Bridgend County Borough Council’s planning committee on Thursday, June 7. Two letters of objection raised concerns over noise nuisance, odour, extra traffic and the development being unsuitable for the area.
Merthyr Mawr Community Council objected saying there was “no area” to exercise dogs and puppies, and the design of the building had “small windows, light and ventilation issues”.
Officers had recommended the application by Mr A Mallett be approved subject to conditions saying the plans did not adversely affect residential amenities and the site’s size was considered adequate to exercise the dogs. The plans involve a new building for dog breeding and a change of use of the land from residential to a mixed use of both residential and the dog breeding business.
The building, which will house four kennels will be around 7m by 7m with an overall height of 4.7m.
As part of the planning permission, the number of puppies, pets and working dogs kept on the site cannot be more than 20 and no sales of dogs or puppies can take place from the site. The plans relate solely to the breeding of four French bulldogs with each dog delivering one litter of up to 4-5 puppies within a 12-month period.
Officers said the house on the site was currently used for dog breeding with several of the existing dogs being working dogs which were used in connection with the applicant’s part time estate gamekeeping duties.
In a report on the plans, officers state: “The applicant has advised that the waste generated by the proposed development will be retained in a sealed container and disposed of in the site’s cesspit. Animal welfare and concerns over light and ventilation for the dogs is not a material planning consideration and is addressed under other legislation and licensing requirements. The size of the site is considered adequate to exercise the dogs and in any event this could also be undertaken off site.”
The council’s public protection officer had initially raised an objection to the site of the building due to the potential impact of noise on one of the neighbours.
But the officer withdrew the objection when the building was relocated away from neighbouring properties.
Officers said they considered the noise would not have an unacceptable impact on homes nearby due to the large field separating neighbours from the business, adding one of the conditions involves the sound insulation of the building.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plans on Thursday at the Development Control Committee.