Noise fears over Crawshawbooth boarding kennel expansion (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Noise fears over Crawshawbooth boarding kennel expansion

11:00am Friday 9th September 2011 in Crawshawbooth By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

NEIGHBOURS and kennel owners are set to clash over plans to expand a dog kennels business in Rossendale.

People living near Willows Farm, in Gib Hill Lane, Crawshawbooth, claim that noise from an existing 28-strong kennels development is disturbing their peace.

And they have protested against plans by Willows, Wags and Whiskers board-ing kennels to build an extra 12 at the site, off Goodshaw Lane.

But the owners have received the backing of planning officers, who believe complaints of disruptive dogs have not been borne out.

Neighbours have claimed that the current business is causing problems, with owners arriving as early as 6.30am to leave their pets.

And objectors say a noise assessment was only carried out during winter months, instead of spring or summer, when open windows would have cont-ributed to the alleged noise nuisance.

Planning officer Richard Elliott said in a report that the nearest homes were too far away to be affected.

“Due to the distance involved and the effective screening provided by the existing buildings at Willows Farm, the noise generated at the site would be inaudible at the residential properties on Goodshaw Lane,” he added.

Councillors on Rossendale Council development control committee will have the final say when they meet at Bacup’s Futures Park on Tuesday, from 6.30pm.

The kennels development was originally allowed on appeal by a planning inspector in November 2007, allowing 12 spaces for dogs and 12 for cats.