Kennels go ahead despite fears

A new kennel business housing up to 14 dogs will be set up in Molash, despite concerns from neighbours.

Planning permission has been granted to Maria Ransley, and her son-in-law, to open the ken- nel and cattery at her home in Knockwood Lane.

It will include two detached single-storey buildings, each comprising seven dog kennels, a grooming area, kitchen, a detached cattery with eight pens, and additional parking, plus an office and isolation pen.

The application was approved by Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee last Wednesday. One opposing neighbour who spoke at the meeting said: “We all live within 400metres of the prop- erty. We can already hear Ms Ransley’s two dogs, so can only assume 14 more will be even noisier.”

A condition of the approval was that soundproofing material must be added to the pens and a two-metre high earth mound created to reduce noise levels.

Originally the scheme sought permission for one building comprising 20 dog kennels, but was amended following officer’s concerns and six letters of objection from neighbours. Concerns included noise and traffic.

Cllr David Robey (Con), ward member for Challock, said: “I think the applicants have tried to take on the objections in a responsible way.

“At the end of the day we try and encourage rural businesses, and this is one.”

Fifty years after leaving Ashford Girls Grammar School, former classmates met for a reunion lunch