Background 

 

Retrospective Planning Application, dated 8th March 2011.  Agriculture Shed to Dog Breeding at Beili Bedw Farm, Llanllwni, Pencader, Carmarthenshire, SA39 9DP

On the 28th January 2010, the Local Planning Authority confirmed that a shed could be erected.  The application stated that the shed was for agriculture use for sheep and agriculture machinery. This did not require the need for a specific grant of planning permission as the operation would be permitted development under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order  1995.
This resulted in the shed being erected, but within a short period of time it was bought to the attention of Puppy Alert that dogs were being kept within the shed and it was fitted out with tiled walls and floor for the purpose of dog breeding.  Planning enforcement were advised accordingly and a visit to the premises was made, the consequences of which the applicant was  advised to submit a planning application for change of use from agriculture to dog breeding.
Earlier Background:
The premises were granted change of use of calf pens into dog kennels for up to 9 dogs in 1994.  This required the applicant to request written approval for any intensification of the business, this was never applied for.
From 1994 to date the dog breeding business has intensified to 140 dogs but in the latter few years to 180 (in recent months the dog breeding licence was renewed by Carmarthenshire County Council for 196 dogs), although allegedly the figure for dogs kept on the farm was far in excess of either of these numbers and is likely to be so in the future with or without a licence if this planning application is approved.

The premises are a working farm with 850 breeding sheep and 200 followers, with 120 acres owned and 100 acres rented and more envisaged in the future. Plus of course the dogs, which incidentally do not appear to have any exercise areas attached to any of the units (livestock sheds) that are used for keeping the dogs 24/7.  The applicant a farmer and a wife who is employed by the local authority are said to employ one full and one part time staff.  How can they possible ensure high animal welfare standards for the dogs when they have 196 dogs and 1,000 sheep and land to care for too?.

Puppy Alert has objected to this application and asked others if they feltl  concerned too to do likewise, they did (thank you) 769 objection were received by the Council. The plans can be viewed here.  The planning application number is W/24449
 http://www.ukplanning.com/carmarthenshire/findCaseFile.do?appType=planning+folder&appNumber=W%2F24449&action=Search
If you still feel aggrieved by this decision then please continue to write to Head of Planning
email: planningconsultations@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
 
Planning can only take into account objections on planning issues, such as highways, noise, hazardous waste etc.  However the volume of objections to a planning application can be important too, including personal opinions. Please look at the application, read the planning agents report, the latter comments are just his written opinion as to the reasons that change of use from agriculture to dog breeding should be given planning permission.  If you did not agree with the agent that dog breeding is an agriculture pursuit then write an objection and say why you are were against this application and feel it should not have gone ahead. 

Remember the premises are now licensed for 196 dogs Carmarthenshire County Council appears to be indifferent to animal welfare, public opinion and those of Puppy Alert that to accommodate 196 dogs (with the possibility of more) on a farm premises that has the responsibility for a thousand sheep and few staff is totally irresponsible.  Dogs are companion animals requiring human company, socialization and exercise, not isolation and deprivation.  They are not livestock and should not be treated as such, their needs are entirely different. To accommodate so many dogs in one area places a higher risk of disease spreading.  The mass production of irresponsibly bred puppies from non health screened parents should never be condoned – neither should the fact that these mass produced puppies are destined for sale by dealers and pet shops. Stop puppy farming, battery farming and the indiscriminate commercial breeding of dogs by writing and objecting to the decision made.  You have a choice the dogs and puppies do not.

UPDATE: The renewal licence for dog breeding for these premises is the 21st December 2011. I will shortly give you the details of who to submit your objections to and suggest the reasons for objecting.   

Thank you