Kennels plan refused

IAN CLARKE

A government inspector has refused permission for a dog breeding business on a mid-Norfolk farm as it would create too much noise.

Last month Jean Mooney appealed against Breckland Council's refusal of plans to change the use of a pig weaning unit at Manana, Mill Road, Mattishall, to dog breeding kennels with outside runs.

The planning inquiry heard that kennels were already being run on the site and neighbours said there was a constant noise from there and nearby kennels at Appleby Farm.

Mrs Mooney breeds a mixture of labradors, bull mastiffs and boxers and said she has no more than 20 puppies on the site at any one time.

She told the inquiry the kennel building would be fully soundproofed and double-glazed and that the measures had been backed by a noise consultant and Breckland's environmental health department.

But government planning inspector Diane Lewis said she was "not satisfied that the living conditions of nearby residents would be safeguarded from noise and disturbance."

Mrs Lewis concluded that it "was not a good location" and she dismissed the appeal.

She said animal welfare issues raised during the inquiry were not relevant to the planning system.