Dog day care plan approved for field

Forest Dogs will expand its business on a former equestrian site in Sheffield

Plans for a dog day care business to operate in a field near the Peak District National Park have been approved.

Forest Dogs can look after up to 22 pets on a former equestrian site on Shorts Lane near Dore.

Andy Irving, the applicant, said it was "simply a family business hoping to grow".

Despite the proposal attracting 100 letters of objection, Sheffield City Council's planning committee gave its backing at a meeting on Tuesday.

The business offers forest walks for dogs, before they return to a day care centre which is currently Mr Irving's family home.

He said the 2.4-acre field would provide a "green open space" for the dogs to enjoy.

Plans said three members of staff would care for the dogs between the hours of 08:00 and 17:00 on weekdays and 09:00 and 17:00 on Saturdays.

The dogs would be collected by the applicant and staff in groups of six to eight and brought to the site in the morning.

They would then be returned to their owners at the end of the day.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said 5.9 ft (1.8m) high fine steel mesh fencing would be installed on 6.6 ft (2m) wooden posts around the field.

Forest Dogs planned to use the land as a "green open space" for up to 22 dogs

Objectors to the application were mainly from neighbours, with a member of the Dore Village Society saying the proposal caused a "high level of concern" in the area.

He said the two biggest concerns were the noise (of barking dogs) and the importance of the location (close to the Peak District National Park).

Others highlighted issues such as highway safety, dogs scaring horses and the impact it would have on elderly residents living close to the site.

However, a customer of the company said it provided her with great support during a difficult period.

She added it was "very professional" and praised the "very responsible" owners of Forest Dogs.

After weighing up public statements, councillors voted seven to four to approve the application.

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