Verdict in on expansion to Lancashire's 'world class' dog hydrotherapy centre
The centre is one of the largest and most-trusted of its kind, and claims to offer ‘world class’ services for dogs.
A Lancashire dog hydrotherapy centre that is one of the biggest and most trusted in the UK has had to apply for permission for expansions made due to its success.
Bosses at Canine Hydrotherapy Centre in Howgill Farm, Howgill Lane, Rimington applied to Ribble Valley Borough Council (RVBC) for retrospective planning consent to regularise the following works in relation to the current operation of the existing business:
- Construction of vehicular access and parking area
- Construction of seating area and siting of tea cabin
- Addition of a timber based single storey lean-to extension to the rear Northern elevation of the converted barn
- Construction of a single storey flat roof building to the north of the barn building’s extended sections
- Construction of a single storey flat roof building and formation of an enclosed strip of land to north-east of office/store and hydrotherapy room.
Since the business was established in 2011, jobs have increased from one to 18, and the applicants argued that retention of the existing business operation could be considered as essential to maintain this existing source of employment.
They also said there is no other comparable canine rehabilitation service available within the Ribble Valley Borough, and the existing business operation provides training courses in dog grooming which attract students from across the UK and internationally, boosting the local economy.
What did the council say?
In a delegated report, RVBC officers said: “Retention of the existing business operation is considered to be essential to the local economy of the Borough on account of the specialist nature of services provided and associated additional economic benefits delivered to the economy of the Borough through the operation of the business, thus establishing the principle of development.
“In addition, it is not considered that retention of the existing business operation would be harmful to the amenity of any neighbouring residents, nor would retention of the operational development undertaken on site result in any harm to the visual amenities of the area.
“Furthermore, the proposal raises no issues with respect to impacts upon highway safety or the ecology of the area.”
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