Doggy daycare under threat as neighbour appeals planning permission

Monday 14 August 2023

A dog-walking and daycare centre in St. Ouen has been forced to cease trading and could have to close permanently at the end of the year after a member of the public appealed the approval of planning permission.

Kumiko Orlandini, the owner of Koko’s Canines on Rue des Hougues, has asked islanders for their help and support in a social media post, saying that she is "beyond devastated" and that it was "an incredibly stressful and challenging time".

The plans for the dog shelter were granted back in June, despite being recommended for refusal by the Planning Department due to its "unsustainable location" in a protected coastal area.

A neighbour who lives near the field also criticised the application and questioned why the field could not be kept as agricultural land.

The majority of the Planning Committee decided that the dog shelter would not cause "irreversible harm" to the existing agricultural land at La Robeline, and that it was beneficial to the community.

Kumiko only applied for retrospective planning permission after she had already been operating the business since earlier in the year.

However, a member of the public has now appealed the decision to grant her permission to use the site and Kumiko said she has been told that she must cease trading, pending the outcome of the appeal in December.

She said: "I am beyond devastated and have provided the highest standards of care to my client's dogs. I have four members of staff who rely on my business for income, and 50 dogs weekly who use our day care.

"The impact of this is huge, not just on me but on my staff and clients too."

Kumiko added: "I understand the need for planning permissions and an appeals process, but I'm struggling to understand how a small but established business which had previously been given the green light, must now cease trading and jeopardise the future of the business and the well-being and financial stability of the people who work there.

"Small business owners and young people are already up against it when trying to further themselves and their businesses in Jersey."

She has also expressed her "urgent need of a temporary relocation option until December", asking anyone who can offer assistance to get in touch.

The neighbour has lodged the appeal on the grounds that the business fails to meet regulations and planning policies, that no consultation with the agricultural sector was undertaken, and that there is "unreasonable noise pollution to neighbours" and an "unreasonable harm to traffic flow".

The appellant "strongly contested" that noise levels were not excessive, writing: "There is a significant noise of dogs barking and shouting by team members which is heard in the surrounding area and properties".

It further expressed concern that this would worsen "should the business grow".

Since Kumiko posted on social media, over 100 islanders have submitted public comments in support of the business.

The full planning application and public comments can be viewed online.