By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to create a day care centre for dogs on a residential Netherfield street are likely to be turned down over noise and traffic concerns.
Applicant A&M Haigh Property Co has asked Gedling Borough Council to change part of an existing industry space, at 27 Forester Street, into the pet centre.
It comes as the flooring business Westgate (Midlands) Ltd, the company currently using the wider building, faces “significantly-reduced” trade.
The company and the applicant hope to use about 575 square metres of the industrial unit for the doggy day care hub for the next 10 years.
It would act as an extension of Ruffles Dog Day Care, which currently has a facility on Ashley Street in Sneinton, with the new facility likely to support 30 dogs per day.
Documents reveal the Netherfield centre would be open between 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday, with dogs dropped off between 7am and 11am and collected between 2pm and 6pm.
These opening hours had initially stretched into Saturday and Sunday and the applicant had planned to support up to 60 dogs before having conversations with the council.
In the documents, the applicant says the plans are not expected to cause significant noise issues and would lead to as many as 10 employees being on-site.
Work experience staff could also be taken on at the doggy day centre, which would also include services such as grooming.
The applicant also says the use of HGVs on the road would also be reduced, while the doggy day centre would generate a “modest number of vehicles”.
In reports, it said: “The noise associated with traffic and ‘comings and goings’ to the site will be minimal, not causing a significant rise in the existing noise levels.
“The noise associated with the dogs barking as a result of the development is anticipated to be below the recommended noise standards and is anticipated to have minimal impact upon the area.
“Therefore, the proposals will not cause a significant adverse impact on local residents.
“The proposals have been shaped with these considerations in mind to ensure there is no significant adverse impact upon the amenity of the area for existing and future residents.”
It adds the floorspace would not lie “vacant and unused” and planning permission would support the expansion of Ruffles Dog Day Centre.
However, Gedling Borough Council disagrees with the noise comments and is likely to refuse planning consent this week.
A report published ahead of the meeting says the plans would likely impact nearby homes due to the “unpredictable nature” of barking dogs.
The authority also expects there to be a “reasonably-large number of vehicle movements”, which could impact existing homes on the street.
It believes extra traffic flow could “increase demand on limited on-street parking … possibly forcing some to park further away from their [homes]”.
The council added: “This would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties in a predominantly residential area, to the detriment of local residents.”
The authority’s planning committee will discuss the plans on Wednesday (January 11) and councillors have been recommended to turn them down.
