THE CONTROVERSIAL fight to put a dog groomers next to a cat cafe could be decided at an upcoming planning committee.
Following months of trials and tribulations and national press, Test Valley Borough Council will decide the fate of the application for a dog groomers next door to a cat cafe at the Northern Area Planning Committee on Thursday, February 20.
Planning officers have recommended permission be granted to the planning application at 6 Winchester Street, Andover after Andover Town Council leant its support.
READ MORE: Dog groomer defends plans to open next to cat cafe
Stuart Waue, owner of Andover Catfe, lodged an official objection to the application last December and said his cafe attracts cat lovers from around the UK.
He said: “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.
The application seeks permission to change the planning use class of the site from a nail salon to a dog grooming facility and there are no proposed internal or external changes to the unit.
According to planning officers, three letters of objection have been received as well as 42 letters of support.
In the conclusion to the planning report, the planning officer said: “The proposals are considered acceptable and in accordance with the policies of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan and the Andover Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.”
The report said there would be a limited number of dogs at the application site at any given time with a maximum of three dogs from the same family.
Dog grooming would be by appointment only, with customers required to arrive promptly for drop-off and collection.
No dogs would be kept on the premises overnight.
READ MORE: Plans to open dog groomers recommended for approval
Noting noise concerns, the planning officer said: “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 within 6 Winchester Street.”
Issues surrounding dog waste were also raised, but were refuted as immaterial and said dogs are already allowed within the part of the town centre, which is also close to the recreation ground and several Public Rights of Way.
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community – a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Last Updated:
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s Editors’ Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here
© 2001-2025. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, 1st Floor, Chartist Tower, Upper Dock Street, Newport, Wales, NP20 1DW | 01676637 |
Data returned from the Piano ‘meterActive/meterExpired’ callback event.
As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.
Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.
These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.
It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.
