A second attempt to open a cattery in St Lawrence has been swiped away – with the Planning Committee rejecting the plans despite backing from planning officers and assurances from one speaker that the average meow is no louder than “moderate rainfall”.
The controversial application – a revised version of plans previously turned down in December – sought permission to erect a 13-pen cattery as a small family-run “hobby business” at a private property on La Route de L’Eglise next to St Lawrence Church.
Applicants Simon and Sarah Dowling also asked for retrospective permission for a concrete deck and retaining wall already built at the rear of the site.
“The original concerns are still definitely there”
The committee – a group of politicians who meet to decide on more controversial applications – voted to refuse the application for a second time on the same grounds given for its rejection six months earlier.
The decision overturned the recommendation made by planning officers and ruled that the proposal would damage the landscape and be too large for the site.
Deputy Steve Ahier told the meeting: “It’s come before the committee before in 2024, and the retaining wall and concrete deck, which were put in without planning permission, seem to be deliberately designed to accommodate the cattery…The original concerns are still definitely there.”
Deputy Richard Honeycombe added: “The cattery is the same size… I really don’t see there’s any variation from what was turned down the last time.”
“A labour of love”
The proposal had been pitched as a discreet and “small-scale” facility that would be set behind the house and not visible from the road.
The structure would have included 13 pens in a what was described as “secure” unit with toughened safety glass.
The Dowlings had also promised to offset the environmental impact of the build through new planting, including a green wall and planters.
Mr Dowling told the committee the project was “a labour of love, not labour for commercial gain.”
He said: “We listened carefully to the views of the committee… Our earlier submission lacked detail, which is why we have come back with what we think is a strong case.”
“The average meow is 45 decibels”
While some residents raised concerns ahead of the decision about traffic and the size of the development, as well as the noise and smell of the animals, pet owners who backed the scheme argued it is much-needed following the recent closure of three catteries.
In a bid to address some of these concerns, retired clinical companion animal behaviourist Rosie Barclay told the committee that cats are clean and quiet animals.
“Cats don’t smell unless they’re male and unneutered, but Sarah and Simon aren’t taking on any unneutered animals, so that’s not going to be the issue.
“They’re very clean and groom themselves regularly, and they use a litter tray.”
She added: “The average meow is 45 decibels…It’s the same noise that you might find in a library or a moderate rainfall. So it’s not going to be very loud.”
A neighbouring resident who turned out at the meeting in opposition to the scheme argued the revised plans were essentially unchanged.
“It is the same proposal, again, for the same use, of the same form and in the same location,” he said.
“It is over 87 square metres – more than the floor space requirement for a three-bedroom bungalow.”
Committee chair Deputy Alex Curtis said the proposal had economic value and indicated he could support it under conditions, such as removing permitted development rights and requiring the landscaping to be completed before construction.
But the majority of the committee voted against the plan.
The application was refused on the grounds that the development would result in a loss of green space and, due to its size and scale, would harm the character of the area – the same conclusion reached by the committee six months ago.