A retrospective plan to turn a builder’s yard into commercial kennels has been canceled by East Ayrshire Council’s planning committee.
The refusal comes after locals railed against plans submitted by Ms Willamena Brown, with a majority complaining about the site’s barking noise.
A neighbor even claimed that the puppy noise started as early as 5 a.m. and could continue late into the night.
The 2,200m² site, currently classified as a construction site, just off Brown Street in Newmilns, is sandwiched between an electricity distribution site and a factory.
At the planning meeting, it emerged that a probe had been launched at the site after complaints were made about dog farming on the site.
Fiona Finlay, head of the council’s development management team, said: ‘Complaints were received by the planning department on November 21 over allegations of dog farming on the site.
“Following an investigation by the Planning Enforcement Officer, the current application has been received. The application form indicates that the applicant was unaware that planning permission was required.”
Council officers recommended that the application be denied because no noise impact study had been provided and the development was not “compatible” with the surrounding environment.
Paul Gilchrist, Environmental Health Officer, added: “In reviewing this application, the Environmental Health Officer has considered the nature of the development and the surrounding environment and has expressed concern about the unacceptable noise impact of the development, in especially in terms of barking dogs.
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“Commercial premises give rise to complaints of excessive noise and over the past few weeks we have received a number of complaints relating to dog barking from these particular premises.”
Mr Gilchrist said that until a noise impact assessment could be provided and assessed, the department’s objection remained in place.
George Mair, who was a councilor when the meeting took place in April, said he was ‘really concerned’ that the council’s planning department and licensing section were tied ‘in knots’ because the claimant owns already a dog breeder’s license.
Since the development management section of the planning department was moved to governance departments in September last year, Mr Mair said objections to breeders’ licenses should be raised at the planning stage.
The app site is associated with a website called “Puppies R Us” which, according to their site, sells six different breeds of dogs “at different times” including: Cocker Spaniel puppies, Cockapoo puppies, Labrador puppies , Labradoodle puppies, Poodle puppies. and Goldendoodle puppies. The company is a licensed dog breeder.
A total of 18 objections were made and the councilors adopted the proposal to deny the request.
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