Chatburn groomers’ plans to relocate refused

A Lancashire-based grooming business has been refused planning permission for larger premises in Chatburn. 

Scallywags Dog Grooming is currently based at the rear of the Brown Cow pub in Bridge Street, Chatburn, and has been operating there for the past four years. 

Owners David and Adele Clay were looking to expand the business by taking over the ground floor of another property in Bridge Road. 

A planning statement submitted to Ribble Valley Borough Council said: “The business is now successfully established but requires extra space to provide further improvements, namely: More spacious grooming area, a separate area in which to accommodate any waiting pet, a more suitable electrically operated rising bath for washing, a drying cabinet, and a staff toilet. 

“The applicants are licensees of the adjacent Brown Cow public house, at the rear of which is a small, single roomed ancillary building which for the last four years has been utilised as a dog grooming business serving primarily the local community in Chatburn and its immediate surroundings.”  

The statement continued: “The business generates very little waste, with any trimmings capable of being bagged on a weekly basis and deposited in the commercial bins of the Brown Cow pub. 

“The premises would be reconfigured and improved. No external alterations (other than general maintenance and the small sign for the grooming salon) will be required.” 

However, the plans were rejected by the council, who said the applicants had failed to provide sufficient information with respect to the impacts of noise arising from the proposed change of use and in the absence of such information it was “unable to comprehensively assess the potential impacts of the proposed development” on neighbouring properties. 

The applicants have six months to appeal the council’s decision.