A DOG breeder’s retrospective attempt to win planning permission for his business was given the go ahead despite a wave of protest from animal rights campaigners.

More than 15,000 people signed an online petition against Eric Lancaster’s application for backdated authorisation for a dog breeding facility at his farm in Newchurch-in-Pendle.

Objections were made against the development at Douglas Hall Cottage, on Spenbrook Road, Newchurch-in-Pendle, because of concerns over animal welfare, the lack of staff rest facilities and lack of dog exercise facilities.

However, councillors granted the application at the recent meeting of Pendle’s Barrowford and Western Parishes committee last Thursday.

Louise Brown, who runs the campaign Lancashire Against Puppy Farming, said: “As a group we knew there was nothing we could do to stop the application going ahead.

“We will continue to warn anyone we come across to avoid Douglas Hall Farm.

“We are going to be stepping up the number of protests outside and ensure there will be some sort of presence from us outside the establishment every single week.

“We will also be launching town centre awareness courses at the end of the month.

“We will not rest until Douglas Hall close.”

Eric Lancaster, who runs Douglas Hall Farm, said: “We’re happy to announce we have achieved the planning permission required to improve our facilities.

“Although there have been individuals who have tried to tarnish our business and sabotage our planning application by starting a fictitious petition, the truth has now prevailed.

“When the councillors where presented with the truth and factual information they voted unanimously in support of the application.

“We would like to thank everybody who has offered their support and welcome visitors to come and cuddle our healthy happy puppies.”

Philip Mousdale, Pendle Council’s corporate director, said: “We’re aware of concerns about puppy breeding at Douglas Hall Farm near Newchurch and we have had some complaints in the past relating to the health of puppies bought from there.

“However on planning applications the council can only take into account planning matters, which these concerns were not.

“Our Environmental Health team carried out an inspection last December, which the breeding business passed satisfactorily.

“We’re not investigating the premises at present but will carry out our annual inspection again in December.”