Berkshire couple fight to keep doggy daycare
The owner of a Berkshire doggy daycare is appealing after being refused planning permission.
Sarah Nash, who runs Nashers Day Care for Dogs in Hare Hatch, near Wargrave, applied in October for retrospective planning permission to change the use of some of her stables. However, last month Wokingham Borough Council rejected this on the grounds that the commercial use was harmful to the openness of the green belt due to additional traffic and noise.
Wargrave Parish Council also objected to the application due to the impact on the residential amenities of neighbouring properties.
The Henley Standard reports that Nash, who runs the business with her fiancé Paul Kilsby, owns 7.4 acres of land off Castle Road behind Waltham Court, where she has lived and cared for horses since 1989. More than 3.5 acres is used as grazing land and equestrian facilities including stables, a yard, and a manège.
Nash said: “I started taking care of friends’ dogs in September 2019. During the pandemic I had been asked by a couple of NHS workers to take their dogs for the day while they worked.
“Once the pandemic ended and people were called back into the office, they needed somewhere for their dogs to go. I met Paul two years ago and he has helped me look after the dogs and the business has grown from there.”
The couple use the manège and stables to take care of up to eight dogs from 9am to 5pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The animals play in the manège, which houses agility equipment and toys, and can rest in the stables. The dogs are dropped off and collected by their owners, which means 12 vehicle movements a day, the Henley Standard reports.
Nash added: “The reason my application was refused was the council’s concern about cars driving up and down the lane twice a day to drop off and pick up dogs. I am more than happy to organise a minivan or car to pick up the dogs myself. Most of my clients live in Wargrave and Twyford so I think it would solve the issue.
“When I ran my livery, vehicles were driving up and down the track all the time. Horses were being transported and we would also have deliveries for their maintenance, as well as visits by vets, dentists, farriers, feed merchants, tutors, saddlers and grooms. There are actually fewer vehicle movements now we are running the dog daycare.”
She added: “This appeal has cost me thousands. I have probably spent more money to keep my business going than what it is actually making. I am just trying to make a living.
“I understand the need for planning permission, but I am not adding any more buildings, or changing the appearance of the land. I just want to be able to use it in a way which will benefit me throughout my retirement and the community.”
