Pet hotel is a woof deal for us, say neighbours

SEAN Brown absolutely loves dogs.

In fact, he loves them so much he’s turned his family home into a ‘doggy hotel’.

Pet dogs can enjoy a paddle in the ‘Petsercise’ pool before enjoying a snooze in their own private bedroom.

“We have a one-and-a-half-acre garden for them to play in,” boasts Sean proudly. “It gives the dogs a holiday and our facilities are second to none.

“We are just giving the dogs a happier stay and the client peace of mind.”

But not everyone’s tail is wagging at his plans to allow up to a dozen dogs to stay at once.

Pensioners nearby claim the barking is ruining their retirement – and some are hounding Gateshead Council to put the plans in the dog house.

“I think the noise will be horrendous if there are more dogs,” said neighbour Pat Mordue.

“We thought we retired to a quite residential area, not one that has dogs barking and a lot of shouting.” She’s not alone. “Our sleep is being disturbed by dogs barking at approximately 5am,” complained fellow pensioner Angela Davidson.

“We feel this situation would only become worse as time progresses and more dogs are housed there.”

They are among at least 11 objec- tors demanding plans to potentially treble the number of dogs at the hotel are axed.

Currently the Winlaton firm is allowed around four, but needs retrospective planning permission after converting part of its detached Barlow Lane base into “high quality” quarters for the dogs.

Objectors are also worried, among other things, about parking issues and dog fouling. One local fears that “could lead to an increase in bad smells”.

One Barlow Lane resident, pensioner Anne Cook, complained it had been “impossible” to sit in her garden during the summer due to constant barking and “whining”.

Ex-rugby pro Sean said he appreciated some of the concerns.

But since opening the firm twoand-a-half years ago, he claimed: “In that time we’ve never had any noise complaints.

“We have talked to neighbours who are right next to us. Over the years we‘ve asked if there has been any barking or disruption and they come back happy saying they couldn’t hear anything.

“I understand the concerns and the feedback from the objectors, but it isn’t a kennel, it is home boarding.”

The business is popular with dog lovers. It has over 500 Facebook fans who have praised the “friendly” staff. One claimed they couldn’t imagine the firm not being in their dog’s life.

And to appease locals, Sean’s even offered up a raft of guarantees – including making sure the dogs are bedded down by 7pm.

But seemingly they are not enough to keep everyone happy.

“I am gutted to think their application will be allowed,” said Billy Smith. “This sort of business needs to be run from a property with no neighbours.” Some of Sean Brown’s guests enjoying their stay at his Petsercise hotel – but some neighbours are unhappy at plans to allow more dogs to stay