Proposal for dog-breeding business dismissed by district council

Shadowsquad dog kennel wanted to relocate its dog-breeding establishment from Old Burghclere to Rickety Gate Farm, Hamstead Marshall, with the construction of a single-storey kennel building, temporary residential accommodation, and a car park.
However the plans were criticised by many local residents, and West Berkshire Council received 70 letters of objection to the application.
A total of 11 letters of support were also received by the council, one of which was a petition of 54 signatories.
One resident, Robin Tandy, feared that house prices in the area would fall if the business was set up, and others predicted noise pollution from the kennels.
The owner of the Shadowsquad, Rachel Paul, said that she only intended to keep a total of 36 dogs at the site, adding that they would be well trained.
However, the plans were refused by West Berkshire planners, who argued that the development would be dominant and overbearing.
The head of planning and countryside at West Berkshire Council, Gary Lugg, said: “From the analysis conducted, the scheme fails to meet the tests as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework in relation to dwellings and therefore represents a premature and unjustified new dwelling in the countryside.
“By virtue of its scale, siting and bulk, the proposed development is considered to create a dominant and overbearing impact that would harm the character and appearance of the surrounding rural environment.
"The proposed development would fail to preserve the views enjoyed from within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“No drawings or information have demonstrated that there would be sufficient noise mitigation and odour control measures to reduce the noise and odours from the site.”