Plans for new dog day care centre in West Parley are refused

Concerns had been raised barking dogs would cause a ‘major disturbance’ to neighbours and a nearby SEN school.  

As reported, Bruce’s Pet Care Ltd applied to the council to open the new centre on land south of Christchurch Road. 

The business already has 10 operational sites, but wanted to use one acre of this land to provide a new space for up to 40 dogs.

It also requested permission for temporary buildings in association with the new use.

But the application received an objection from Hurn Parish Council, which warned “the potential noise nuisance from 40 dogs is huge” and “barking noise carries over a large distance”.

It added: “It will be a major disturbance to properties on Christchurch Road. The impact of noise on the special needs pupils at Portfield School is of particular concern as they are potentially very sensitive to noise.”

Bruce’s Pet Care (Image: Bruce’s Pet Care) Hurn Parish Council also raised concerns over poor access to the new centre and inappropriate development within green belt land, and questioned whether there was demand for dog care.

Two people living outside the immediate vicinity of the site did write to the council in support of the application.

They said there was a need for a dog day care, adding it would generate further employment and be beneficial to the local community.

BCP Environmental Health raised no objection to the plans, and said it was satisfied with the findings of a noise impact assessment supplied with the application.

Proposed layout for the new centre/site (Image: Bruce’s Pet Care) But planning officer Charlotte Haines said the centre would “constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt”, and recommended it for refusal.

Ms Haines also said the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate the scheme would comply with regulations, namely the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations 2024, Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Environment Act 2021.

She added if the application was approved, a condition should be added requiring the dog day care to be temporary to allow for a trial period to assess its noise impact.

BCP Council refused the application on Thursday, October 31.