Dog training 'to cease' after planning appeal loss

In 2024 the Barkley Club submitted plans for a new building and car park

A dog day care business in Jersey has been given nine months to "cease the use of its field for a canine training facility" after losing an appeal for retrospective planning permission.

In 2024 the Barkley Club submitted plans for a new building and car park, and for a dog care and training centre near La Rue des Buttes, St Martin, but permission was refused.

The planning inspector identified the loss of high-quality agricultural land and the potential for noise generated by barking dogs as two principle issues.

Despite public support and two appeals, Constable Mike Jackson upheld the refusals for both the construction and the change of use to the field to the south of St Martin's Village.

'Nine-month compliance'

Planning authorities said: "While the inspector acknowledged that the facility is professionally managed and meets a demand for dog care services, he concluded that these benefits did not outweigh the clear policy conflicts.

"The site is identified as good quality agricultural land the loss of which could only be justified in exceptional circumstances under the policies set out in the Island Plan."

It added: "The appeal against the refusal of retrospective planning permission to change the use of the field for a dog care and training centre has also been dismissed, and the enforcement notice upheld but with a revised nine-month compliance period."