Dog day care scheme’s bid to build HQ denied again
THE owners of a dog day care business have been frustrated again in their plans to build a base in a village field.
Nilz Aponso and his wife, Helen, run Nilz and Harley Pet Services. They rent a field to the east of Higham Lane, in Stoke Golding, where the dogs roam around and get some daily exercise.
Since 2017, the couple have been trying to get planning permission to build a barn, from where they could run activities for the dogs and provide an indoor space when the weather is poor.
Having the facility in the field would also allow them to spend more time there each day, until 4pm, whereas at the moment they have to take the dogs back to their home in Barwell for the afternoon.
Nilz has applied several times to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for permission to put up the building, with the council refusing the scheme over concerns it would harm the open countryside.
He has sought to address the issues by relocating the proposed site to an area of the field where it would be shielded from view by mature hedgerow.
Nilz said: “I don’t understand. Dog care is so popular now, especially with people having to go back to work.
“When they go back to work and the dog is left on their own, it’s going to be a big change for them.”
He has twice taken the council’s decision to appeal, only to be refused again. The Planning Inspector said of the most recent application: “The building would be highly visible and introduce a built form into an area of countryside where there is currently none.
“This is further exacerbated by the topography of the appeal site which slopes gently upwards away from Higham Lane and would result in the building occupying a slightly elevated position within the landscape.”
Nilz said he has been looking at other venues, approaching estate agents to see if they have any industrial units available, but really wants to stay where they are now, so the dogs can enjoy running around in the field.
He said he finds the council’s decision frustrating as it has recently approved schemes for more than 100 homes on fields around Stoke Golding.
“It doesn’t make sense that 100 houses can go up and be there permanently, but one building for this is not considered okay”, he said. “When we move on, we would just have to dismantle the building. The rest of the field is untouched.”
He received support from some in the village when news of the latest refusal was shared in a community Facebook page.
Paul Spokes said: “Unbelievable. They dismiss what would be a community asset, yet grant multiple housing developments, with huge village impact.”
Jason Twist said: “That’s just crazy. Something that would potentially benefit the village is rejected, yet they allow estates to be built which directly damage the village.
“Also, if they’re building all these new houses, surely there is a need for doggy day care?”