PROPOSALS have been revealed for a countryside sanctuary for up to 80 rescue dogs on the outskirts of an East Lancashire town.

The development at Clough Bottom Farm Broad Oak Road on the way out of Accrington would demolish existing run-down buildings to create a home-style environment for the animals.

Emma Billington of Salford-based Dogs4Rescue (D4R) has applied for planning permission to create a sanctuary complex with an eventual eight staff on site 24 hours a day,

The 'not for profit' Community Interest Company established in 2013 has successfully rehomed 1,500 dogs.

The charity also provides a home to dogs who cannot be re-homed or ‘sanctuary dogs’.

A supporting statement with the planning application says: "D4R’s ‘Unique Selling Point’ in terms of dog rescue is that the dogs are not kennelled, but live in an environment that is closer to a home environment, negating and avoiding a lot of the health and behavioural problems that kennelled dogs can suffer.

"Following the success of their existing site at Nursery Farm in Salford, D4R are looking to establish a second site at Clough Bottom Farm, which will provide a home to the sanctuary dogs and rescued farm animals only, freeing up capacity at the Nursery Farm site for dogs which can be rehomed.

"The site has been identified as an ideal location for the sanctuary as it will provide a calm countryside location with adequate space to have multiple ‘free-running’ areas for the ‘subpacks’ of dogs (the dogs are separated into smaller ‘sub-packs’ – each with a combination of stable, insecure and naturally dominant dogs so equilibrium exists, and the dogs each have a positive influence on one another).

"The site is relatively isolated and benefits from its location off a quiet road.

"The site is currently in a very poor state of repair and will require significant investment to be

brought fully into use.

"None of the buildings are suitable for re-use and will all therefore need to be replaced.

"The intention is that this will be delivered in phases.

"The first phase will see the site brought into use to provide sanctuary for up to 20 rescue dogs.

"This will include provision of a single-storey purpose-built dog accommodation, including groom room, storage, staff welfare facilities and site office; a single storey log cabin to provide worker accommodation which will replace the existing tyre store building.

"D4R has ambitions to evolve the site to eventually provide a safe environment for up to 80 dogs and other farm animals to live out their days."

Cllr Judith Addison, Hyndburn Council Conservative group's planning spokesman, said: "It looks like a good project at first sight."