PLANS to build a cattery in a Ferndown road have been declared invalid at the eleventh hour after a “clerical error”.

The application, which was due to go before East Dorset District Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, had been recommended for approval.

However, after chartered town planner Wayne Barraball investigated further on behalf of objectors, it was revealed that the application was registered without a design and access statement, which is a statutory requirement.

But while the plans have now been withdrawn from Tuesday’s agenda, they look set to be heard after a four-week postponement.

Town councillor Basil Barnett said the omission of the statement is a clerical error.

“It is likely that all that will happen is that the plans will be heard in four weeks, rather than on Tuesday,” he said.

“A lot of residents have objected to the plans, but if there are no legal objections, they may still be approved by planners.”

James Kelly, who lives in nearby Chander Close, spoke of his relief after the development.

“We had a meeting with Mr Barraball and showed him around, and then the next thing we knew about it all, it had been called ‘invalid’,” he said.

“It is a relief to us that this is the result for now.”

Mr Kelly said the layout of the plans would have seen the cattery located much closer to his own property than the applicants’.

He said his primary concern was the increase in traffic.

“The turning area in Chander Close was affected by parked cars and lorries for about a year while changes were made to the house after the applicants moved in,” he said.

“They were using the back entrance into the garden and the road was constantly blocked.”

The planning application could have seen 22 units for cats, a reception building and three additional car parking spaces created at a New Road property.

But residents living nearby overwhelmingly objected to the plans, deeming them to be “inappropriate” for a residential area.

Marianne and Raymond Jones, of New Road, said: “This is a well-established residential area and a designated special character area, not an industrial estate of rural small-holding.”

A petition circulated to neighbours by Mr and Mrs Jones and Mr Kelly has collected around 40 signatures.

When contacted by the Echo, applicant John Criddle said: “I don’t know why you’re calling – it’s not a story.”