Plans to set up a dog breeding business have been knocked back due to fears over the “potential adverse noise” it would cause.
Yvonne Bartram had applied to change Aviary House, on Mill Drove in Southery, from a residential property into the business. The building has already been housing some dogs.
However, West Norfolk Council’s planning committee refused her application yesterday, citing a lack of evidence to prove any unwanted noise could be “adequately mitigated”.
Officers also said Ms Bartram had failed to demonstrate that the business would protect the countryside and its “intrinsic character and beauty”.
She made the application under the Cabrilla Dogs business name, seeking full planning permission for the retention of her already-existing dog breeding business which operates from the house’s garage.
In a noise management plan submitted, she said all dogs on the site are highly trained and socialised with the owner’s family and staff each day.
The plan added: “The dogs have a set daily routine and there is minimal stress to the animals that might lead to agitated barking or howling.
“There are also minimal visitors to the property, resulting in significantly less noise than in larger kennels.”
Ms Bartram then listed a seven-point plan detailing how noise could be managed at the business, which is located just off the A10.
This said a stock of muzzles and barking collars are available in the kennels which are used only if a noise problem arises, while the kennel building is fully insulated and natural vegetation screening has been planted to “minimise noise escape”.
It also said dogs would not be disturbed during the night unless an emergency occurs, and that staff members who live on site would attend to any excessive barking incident “in a timely manner”.
Planning officers did class Ms Bartram as a “reputable dog breeder”.
However, they said: “Due to insufficient information relating to the design of business which will allow it to operate effectively, officers cannot make an accurate assessment of the visual impact that the proposed development would have on landscape character.”
A number of public objections had been made to the plans.
One said the application had caused “significant discussion and division” in Southery.
Another said: “I can confirm that the level of barking is actually distressing. It is one thing to visit but to live within close proximity that the barking dog noise forces you to have to go back in your house is awful.”
However, there were some comments of support for Ms Bartram’s plans.
One member of the public wrote: “I am a frequent visitor to Aviary House, Yvonne and her family always do their best to make sure the dogs are under control.
“Unfortunately some do not seem to understand they are animals, not machines. I have always thought how well behaved they are considering the extent of the work that is going on to renovate the property.
“We need more reputable breeders who put the effort and work in like Yvonne does.”
However, council officers wrote in their report: “It is acknowledged by officers that this noise issue has had a significant adverse impact on neighbouring residents through the objecting comments and previous complaints to environmental health which broadly relate to intermittent noise being emitted from the proposed dog breeding business and that this adverse impact can occur at any point in time.”
Officers recommended that the plans be refused permission, and they were turned down yesterday.