Noise row over Chorley dog exercise business

The owner of a dog exercise business in rural Chorley has denied that it is causing a noise nuisance to her neighbours – claiming that the capering canines are “too busy running around to be barking”.
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Sue Knight, who runs Muckypups Manor in Heath Charnock, was refused retrospective planning permission to continue using a secure field at her home as a place for dog-lovers to let their four-legged friends run free without fear of them taking flight.

A meeting of Chorley Council’s planning committee heard that the venture generates “noise and disturbance”, affecting residents living nearby – with the potential for up to 20 dogs to be unleashed in the half a hectare field at any one time.

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However, Ms. Knight told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that she did not recognise the picture that was painted of her tranquil surroundings.

Sue Knight, who has opened up the field at her home for dogs to exercise (image: Neil Cross)Sue Knight, who has opened up the field at her home for dogs to exercise (image: Neil Cross)
Sue Knight, who has opened up the field at her home for dogs to exercise (image: Neil Cross)

“The vast majority of the bookings are for families with just one or two dogs.

“We have had a limited number of breed meet-ups since we opened and the average [attendance] is nine or ten.

“Nobody uses dog whistles and usually the only sound you can hear in that field is traffic from the M61.

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“It is a lifeline for some people who have nowhere else to take their animals – they can come here and relax and enjoy their dogs, knowing that they are safe.”

Border collie Sadie enjoying a runBorder collie Sadie enjoying a run
Border collie Sadie enjoying a run

Ms. Knight says she was unaware that planning permission was required when she first opened up the space at her property last December. The idea to do so came after she took early retirement from a national nursing role suffering from burnout.

She says that she wants other people – and their pets – to be able to benefit from the bucolic setting as much as she has.

An 800-strong petition has been set up in defence of the dog-focused business, but speaking at the planning meeting on behalf of the 50 residents of nearby Olde Stoneheath Court, Craig Winter said that the use of the field – including for training purposes – was having an “adverse effect” on the lives of locals.

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“Our objections are certainly not out of dislike for dogs…[but] the noise and nuisance is unacceptable – including shouting commands, whistling and the use of megaphones on occasion.

“Users have a direct sight line into our bedrooms, bathrooms and gardens, which is a total invasion of our privacy – it is a similar situation with all properties backing onto the field.

“What is an hour of fun for the dog and their owners, is an all day every day of constant noise and disturbance for locals,” Mr. Winter added.

Other objections lodged with the council include concerns over harm to the greenbelt.

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Planning services manager Adele Hayes told the meeting that it would be difficult to impose planning conditions on the development that would make it acceptable.

“I don’t think any condition is going to work to stop a dog barking,” she said.

Ms. Hayes added: “The activity levels undoubtedly generate noise and disturbance to the occupiers of those dwellings that adjoin the application site.

“Such occupants have a right to the quiet enjoyment of the countryside that would be – and is being – substantially disrupted by the proposal.”

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The agent for the application appealed for the decision to be deferred to allow time for a noise assessment to be carried out at the site – an option which the meeting heard that the objectors had not pursued.

However, the committee refused and rejected the application outright.

The proposed opening hours for the venue would have seen it operate six days a week – a reduction from the previous seven – with a 7.30pm closing time on weekdays during the summer months.

Committee member Alistair Morwood described the enterprise as “a good idea in the wrong location”.

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“Perhaps they should have withdrawn [the application], stopped the business while everything was corrected and then come back to us – and they may have stood a better chance,” he said.

Ms. Knight is now considering whether to appeal, adding that she wanted a deferral of the decision to enable her to respond to the issues raised by the complainants.

She claims that she had not been given the sight of the objections until just days before the committee hearing, because of a problem uploading the documents to the Chorley Council website.

The authority was approached for further comment on the matter.

‘THERE’S NOWHERE ELSE LIKE IT’

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Celia Boylan has been taking her one-year-old border collie Sadie to Muckpups Manor – and says it has helped train and exercise the young dog.

“Puppies don’t come ready-trained – they’ve got to learn.

“There is nowhere else like this in Chorley, where you can let your dog off the lead and know it’s secure.

“I’m in my seventies and wouldn’t be able to run after her if she escaped somewhere,” Ms. Boylan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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