Planners won't let the dogs in!

Friday 23 September 2016

Residents of St Mary may have bitten back at plans to build a multi-million pound kennel facility at Crabbé, but the JSPCA's Vice President says he hasn't completely given up hope of moving the dogs out to the country.

Sean Power said he was "gutted" the state-of-the-art kennels in St Mary failed to get the green light yesterday after Planners unanimously rejected their plans because of the extra traffic it would bring to the parish and the noise of barking dogs.

The JSPCA wanted to convert two barns at La Pepiniere Farm and an adjoining field in the green zone on La Rue de Crabbe into a complex to house around 85 dogs with associated facilities and a home for a warden.

The new kennels had been designed to the latest standards by ACD architects, principally Alex Darrell who they think is the best specialist architect in animal welfare and who has worked with Noel Fitzpatrick, TV's Irish "supervet".  They included noise-limiting features and the plans were independently assessed to make sure that the sound wouldn't go above 25 decibels. 

Mr Power said: "The planning team didn’t question any of the design aspects of the two barns, they didn’t question the ethos but we were not able to overcome the objections of 60 parishioners in St Mary out of a population of almost 2,000."

He said the JSPCA have had the support of a lot of States members, St Helier Deputy Jackie Hilton being one, who said she was very disappointed to hear the application had been turned down.

She said: "It is my opinion the site in St Mary which was previously a working farm fits the bill admirably.

"I would probably go as far to say that the noise of a couple of hundred milking cows confined to an agricultural cattle shed would emit far greater noise than the latest state of art dog kennel. 

"I think it is really important the Island is seen to support the valuable work the JSPCA do in providing a place of safety for so many of our four legged friends.  Society is judged by the way it treats its animals and Jersey historically proved their compassion by setting up the JSPCA all those decades ago."

St Mary’s Roads Committee didn't think the development was such a good idea and had written to Planning, worried about the extra traffic, the effect it might have had on noise levels, and the possible dangers it posed for pedestrians and cyclists in an area of predominantly green lanes.

The JSPCA's current facilities in St Saviour's Road were built in the 70s and currently house up to 65 dogs - but the new kennels would have taken another 20. Mr Power said the urbanisation and development of more homes in the area has meant that their kennels are seen at times as an unwelcome neighbour. 

He said: "The dogs have to stay where they are for the moment because we don’t have an option but I’m going to be the lead on an action group to see what our options are.

"It's only been 24 hours but we haven't completely given up on La Pepiniere Farm."