ANIMAL lovers hope planners will paws for thought when they consider their proposal for a doggy day care centre.

Fitzgerald Planning and Design submitted plans on behalf of Stephen Pope to Ribble Valley Council to erect a log cabin which will be used to run a dog day care business at Stephen Moor Lodge, in Wigglesworth Road, Slaidburn.

The heated log cabin, which will be built within the Forest of Bowland's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), would act as the main shelter for dogs who stay at the centre.

The small rural business Country Canines offers daily packages to look after up to a maximum of 12 dogs.

The applicant said the day care would have a daily routine, which would consist of rest and play outside for two hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon.

There are a total of five car parking spaces which exist at the site and the applicant has made no proposals to increase this number.

If the plans are given the green light, the applicant said the centre will be open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Speaking about the application, Ribble Valley Council planning officer Alan Taylor, said: “The application is for the construction of a shed to be used for animal day care.

“There is no overnight boarding of animals or treatments listed on the application, therefore animal day care only is permitted.

“The construction of the shed should provide sufficient shelter for the animals in care and there should sufficient supervision of any animals in care to maintain levels of noise to a minimum when in the grounds of the planned development.

“This is reduce the possibility of neighbours complaining of noise nuisance.”

The applicant has studied and completed the daycare for dogs business course with Animal Jobs Direct and achieved a 98 per cent distinction.

They are also well trained in first aid for cats and dogs and have worked in a vets practice once a week for a year.