Plans to build new dog kennels on farmland set to be rejected

Applicant Lisa Morley, from Dowcarr Lane in Woodall, is seeking permission to build new kennels at Broomhouse Farm and convert existing outbuildings into an office and stores.

Although the farm site dates back hundreds of years, the property is no longer a working farm and is now a private home.

According to Mrs Morley’s application, the design and construction of the proposed kennels will meet guidelines for dog boarding kennels, a grassed site will provide an exercise area for the dogs, and shrubs and trees will also be planted to make the new kennels blend in with the rural landscape.

The application states that the existing access to the site is “more than adequate for the anticipated extra four or five vehicles per week for visitors to the kennels” and adds that the majority of local residents are “delighted” with the idea of having boarding kennels on site because the nearest similar establishment is some 10 miles south in Barlborough.

Mrs Morley said: “I absolutely love dogs. I’ve got three acres of land and would love to have kennels on it.

“If the kennels get established it will bring jobs to the community – if you have 30 dogs and they all need walking, you’re going to need staff.

“Also, the first thing we did was to have a sound test and the motorway noise drowns out any sound that might come from the dogs.”

However, objections to her plans have come from both neighbours and the local parish council.

Rotherham Council has received 11 letters of objection, as well as a petition bearing 31 signatures, arguing that the existing access to Broomhouse Farm is poor and only suitable for one vehicle at a time.

Opponents say that Dowcarr Lane “cannot accommodate the additional traffic”, the kennels would “produce excessive trade waste, attracting vermin” and the dogs would create an “unacceptable level of noise”.

One objector told Rotherham Council: “Neighbours have not been approached regarding the development and are not delighted, as stated in the applicant’s submission.”

Town planners in Rotherham have come down on the side of the objectors and have recommended that the application is refused when it is considered by councillors tomorrow.

In the report set to go before that meeting, the planning officers say that the existing dog kennels at Barlbrough are a relatively short distance from Woodall and other kennels are available in Brinsworth and Aston.

The planners’ report says: “The proposals are for 30 kennels and an associated exercise area set out in a U–shaped configuration.

“It is considered that the proposed kennel building and the formation of a car parking area, on this greenfield site on the edge of Woodall village, would have a materially adverse effect on the openness and visual amenities of the green belt.

“Whilst the applicant has indicated a level of screen planting, this does not overcome the harm to the openness of the green belt”

The planners’ report adds: “In terms of the pre-application consultation, the applicant has indicated that locals in the area were delighted with the proposed development. It would appear from the responses that a large proportion of local residents are against the proposal.”

Recommending that the application should be refused, the town planners add: “The proposed kennels are considered to be inappropriate development, and would by way of their size, design, materials and location, have an unacceptable adverse effect on the openness and visual amenities of the green belt. No very special circumstances have been submitted to clearly outweigh the harm to the green belt.”