Dog breeding business at Outwell allowed to stay despite fierce opposition

A dog breeding business set up in a home in a rural village is allowed to stay permanently – despite neighbours complaining it had caused them “immense stress and anxiety”.

The kennels in Basin Road in Outwell, were granted a year’s trial to see how the facility’s activity may affect people living next door.

It applied retrospectively for permission, having started operating before West Norfolk Council said it could do so.

The dog breeders faced fierce opposition from neighbours.

At a planning committee meeting on Monday, Bill Smith, who lives next door, said: “The vast majority of people living in the village have objected.

“We do not want another dog breeding business here.

“The primary incentive for dog breeding is not a love of dogs.

“This has caused immense anxiety and stress.”

Mr Smith added there is a “long history” of traffic problems on the road. He also complained CCTV cameras and listening devices installed to monitor the dogs have discouraged their use of their garden.

However, Chris Jones, the owner of the business, said it had followed all the correct procedures to obtain its dog breeding licence.

He said the complaints and objections about the running of the facility were “dubious” and that officials had dismissed them.

He added: “This has been incredibly stressful for my wife and I.”

Despite the complaints, he said visitors had praised the management of the kennel facilities and they were of a high standard.

When it came to the debate, councillors acknowledged people often have strong feelings about dog breeding businesses.

Councillor Pallavi Devulapalli acknowledged the “location could have been better” and said the application was a “difficult decision”.

Ultimately, the application to permanently change the use of the home to a dog breeding site and dwelling was approved by eight votes for, three abstentions and one against.