Noise of barking dogs too loud to allow new houses near kennels

Construction of houses near Fife boarding kennels has been prevented due to the noise of barking dogs.

Likely disruption to would-be occupants from the din resulted in refusal of planning permission for development of the site at Milldeans, near Kennoway.

There were also worries that complaints could threaten the viability of Langdyke Boarding Kennels, which takes in stray dogs for Police Scotland.

Caroline Houston had appealed to the Scottish Government after her application to build three houses at the former Houston’s Garage was refused by Fife Council.

However, reporter Chris Norman found the noise level would be unacceptable for those living in the properties and warned that investigation of subsequent complaints could result in restrictions being imposed on the kennels.

The kennels can take up to 49 dogs and at a site visit, Mr Norman heard what he described as a “crescendo of sound” when one dog barking set several others off.

He said the noise was continuous, punctuated only by infrequent and intermittent pauses.

He said: “I am in no doubt that significant levels of noise can emanate from the kennels.”

Mr Norman noted there had been complaints about the kennels from neighbours over several years, supporting the view there could be tensions with the new households.

He said: “Once the houses are occupied a means of addressing legitimate concerns expressed by the prospective householders may depend on statutory action, requiring a cessation of modification of activities at the kennel that are, at present, unregulated.”