Leighton Buzzard groomer’s bid for retrospective planning permission backed by community

The owner of Leighton Buzzard-based Pawfection Doggy Spa has applied for retrospective planning permission and is being backed by the local community.

Katie Brown opened the North Street facility in January this year, but didn’t realise that she needed to alter the shop unit’s status from Class E to Sui generis.

Brown previously worked as manager of Blythwood Vets, Bushey, before starting her dog grooming business from her garden in 2016 to juggle work with bringing up her children.

She told the Leighton Buzzard Observer: It didn’t occur to me that we had to apply for planning permission; as far as I was concerned we were just moving into a shop.

“We want to work with the council and do the right thing. We have handed in the application and are keeping our fingers crossed.”

In addition, her application is being backed a Change.org petition, which has been signed by more than 200 people to date.

A Central Bedfordshire Council spokesman tole the Leighton Buzzard Observer: “We are consulting over this proposal until 10 August.

“Once the consultation ends and we have considered the feedback we will be able to make a decision.”