Plans for former Queensbury restaurant to become animal care centre refused

Plans to turn a former Queensbury restaurant into an “animal care centre” have been refused – partly due to concerns over dogs barking at the site.
Former Sandal Farm Restaurant, QueensburyFormer Sandal Farm Restaurant, Queensbury
Former Sandal Farm Restaurant, Queensbury

Sandal Farm Restaurant, on Brighouse and Denholme Road, was the subject of a recently submitted application by the Leisure 7 Group.

It called for the building to change its use from a restaurant to a business providing animal training, grooming and overnight care.

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But this week planning officers said that while such a use for the building, which is in the Green Belt, could be acceptable, the plans did not include nearly enough detail for them to give the development the green light.

This lack of detail included no indications of how many animals might be one the site at any one time – and how this could potentially cause a nuisance for neighbours.

The company’s application had said: “The existing restaurant building has been empty and unused for several years, and is now neglected and subject to vandalism.

“Unfortunately, as a result of the current pandemic, restaurants are struggling to make ends meet. Consequently it would not be viable to restore the restaurant to its previous use.

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“However, there has been an increased demand by the public for the companionship of small animals. This has led to an increased need for centres where pets can be groomed, and receive training, day care, and holiday care.

“The rundown, dilapidated building would be renovated and restored externally with only insignificant changes to its appearance, using materials to match those existing.”

Refusing the application, planning officers said: “The application provides limited information on the plans with seemingly only internal alteration and sub division of the building proposed.

“The floor plans do not offer much to indicate what activities or services would be provided in the building.

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“The application includes a supporting statement which describes activities such as dogs being exercised outdoors and within some woodland to the north of the site. There is no detail in the submission to advise on suggested numbers of animals that would be at the site and during what times etc.

“The statement also refers to a wind turbine to serve the site but no details are submitted under the current application.

“There is suggestion that the associated land with the building would be used for exercising the animals though it is unclear on what basis this might take place and whether fencing or additional structures would be needed or are likely to asses fully any likely impact with regard to Green Belt policy.

“The Councils Environmental Protection team have been consulted for comments and advise that they have concerns about noise arising from dogs barking on the site.

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“The site is located close to an existing row of residential properties and the line of mature trees referred to in the application will not provide a sufficient level of protection from noise.

“It is unclear from the application how many dogs will be looked after on the site at any time and it is therefore necessary for the applicant to provide further details including a noise report to show how they will prevent noise nuisance complaints arising in the future.

“The statement does indicate that the applicants intend to re surface the existing 35 car car park for staff and customers so the suggestion is that there would be some quite significant activity at the site.”

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