Planning thumbs-down for controversial 'fun-and-games centre' for dogs in Grimsby-area village

Fitness gym  for dogs - the site as depicted in the Facebook pages of In The Doghouse Dog Park

THERE has been a setback for a couple who have been running a health and fitness centre for dogs on the outskirts of  Waltham.

The sounds of happy yapping by pampered canines will have to cease after North East Lincolnshire Council refused to grant retrospective planning consent for the venture.

The decision follows complaints from neighbours that the site - Summerfields, off Louth Road - was too close for comfort.  

Among the objectors to the project - known as In The Doghouse Dog Park - were the parish council and Waltham House Residential Home.

Council planning case officer Bethany Loring agreed.

In her report, she states: "The proposed development would result in increased commercial activity, and it is considered that this would present a detrimental impact to the amenity that nearby neighbours should reasonably be expected to enjoy by virtue of noise and disturbance." 

The specific wording of the retrospective application  refers to "creating create a mixed use site consisting of residential, dog grooming, dog breeding, dog day care, dog boarding and a dog park within an existing paddock."

Ms Loring's decision comes despite numerous letters of support  from dog-owners who had nothing but praise both for the location and for the way the business was being run by the applicants, Mr and Mrs North. 

However, the noise of barking across a wide area close to at least one Louth Road property was an abiding issue.

Following complaints, a noise abatement notice was issued - and, according to a report, this was subsequently breached.

The applicants have the right of appeal.