Hampshire council rules canines and felines can live harmoniously despite objections
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A dog grooming salon is set to have its planning permission approved despite concerns the “agitated and noisy” canines could “end” the cat cafe next door.
A row broke out at the end of last year in Andover, Hampshire after an application to convert a nail salon into a dog grooming parlour was lodged with town planners.
The owners of Andover Catfe, the cat cafe next door, claimed that the store will “potentially end us” because its clientele will spook their feline residents.
But Amber Cooper, the owner of Barks ‘N’ Bubbles, defended her application and insisted the animals “can live together”.
Test Valley borough council agreed, recommending that the plans be approved because there would be “no adverse impact on Catfe as a result of noise from barking dogs”.
Stuart Waue, owner of Andover Catfe, lodged an official objection to the application last December, claiming his cafe attracts cat lovers from around the country.
He said: “As the proprietor of the neighbouring Andover Catfe, I hereby object to this property being used for dog grooming adjacent to our cat cafe.
“Our Catfe is supposed to be a calming atmosphere for people to enjoy the company of cats.
“If there are agitated dogs making a lot of noise it will upset our cats and create unnecessary stress for them and our visitors.
“The increased canine traffic in the area may also result in an increase in dog faeces and members of the public waiting outside our windows with their (potentially agitated and noisy) dogs disturbing our cats and visitors.
“We’re not dog haters and can appreciate a small business taking on an empty unit, but to open this right next to a cat cafe will potentially end us when we are currently bringing people from outside the town into Andover.”
But Ms Cooper, 27, defended her application saying: “As an owner of three cats myself, I understand the Catfe’s concerns about any distress their cats may experience due to having a dog groomer close by.
“However, as I work on an appointment-only basis and will have a waiting area in my salon, I am confident my clients will not have any need to wait outside the premises, potentially causing a disruption to the cats.
“Furthermore, I have known my customers for many years, all of which are responsible owners who will be sure to pick up after their dogs should they mess outside.
“Finally, I take steps in my business to minimise noise wherever I can, and due to not sharing a wall with the Andover Catfe, I am sure any noise will not be heard from inside the cafe.”
The application received three objections and 42 comments in support of the business.
One supporter, Donna Whatley, wrote: “A lot of dog owners will wander into town for coffee or to browse other shops whilst their dogs are being groomed, potentially leading to more sales for other businesses.
“I don’t believe it will have a negative effect on the cat cafe as there is no reason why anybody would be stood outside the cafe with agitated dogs.
“In my experience, most dogs love going to the dog groomers and being pampered so they wouldn’t be agitated at all and certainly wouldn’t be peering through windows of the cat cafe.
“I’m sure there will be minimal noise and there is also a stairway leading to the Indian restaurant, between the shop and the cat cafe so not even sharing a wall so I’m sure the cafe won’t hear anything.”
The proposals were recommended for approval by officers at a Northern Area planning committee.
They concluded that the plans should be approved “in the interests of the vitality of the town centre and the need to adapt to changes in shopping trends”.
In the report, officers said: “Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of the proposed use on the neighbouring premises called Catfe as a result of the noise of dogs barking.
“The application site is separated from Catfe by a pedestrian walkway and the two units would not share an internal wall.
“The proposals would not result in adverse noise impacts within the town centre, and it is therefore considered that there would be no adverse impact on Catfe as a result of noise from barking dogs.”
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