Cowbridge town councillors on the planning committee have asked that a planning application to build dog breeding kennels is 'called in' by the Vale of Glamorgan Council for further review.

In a meeting this Monday [4 October], Cllrs Sue Cox, John Andrew and Marion Arnold all objected to the planning application, but raised further concerns about the business development.

The application, made by Tim Vaughan Racing, includes an almost 600m² building with dedicated areas for socialisation, exercise, feed and equipment storage rooms, and an adjoining AstroTurf exercise area for 36 breeding bitches.

Welsh Water noted that there is no public sewerage system in this area, so any new development will require the provision of satisfactory alternative facilities for sewage disposal.

The Highways authority had no objections to the proposal, as "there is sufficient turning and parking area within the site, therefore it would not have a material impact along the adjacent highway."

However, the Public Rights of Way officer objected to the plans, as two rights of way would be affected by the proposal.

"I object absolutely strongly. The idea of placing this building on the footpaths 30 and 32, and with Llanquian Castle and the woods there, it is completely unforeseeable," said Cllr Sue Cox.

"I can't imagine anything up there, especially with the noise coming from all those dogs. The footpaths have got to be maintained."

Cadw, the Welsh Government's historic environment service, considered the application inadequately documented.

"In our opinion, the agent has not fully understood what constitutes the setting of a historic asset, which is the way it is experienced, understood and appreciated, and therefore failed to consider how, not only the visual impact of the proposed building, but also the additional noise caused by dogs in it and exercising outside it, will have an adverse impact on the setting of the scheduled monuments," read Cadw's objection.

Cllr Andrew recommended that the town council support the objections made so far against the planning application, but also had wider concerns.

"This is a planning application, what you may or may not think about dog breeding is another matter," he said.

"I personally would like us to make a request to the Vale that the proposal is reviewed by those responsible for animal welfare because there must be other legislation relating to a development like this other than just planning.

"Also, I would like to see us ask the Vale councillors to call this in so it's not just a delegated application."

This course of action was agreed by Cllrs Arnold and Cox. Cllr Cox said she would forward their request to Cllr Jarvie, one of Cowbridge's representatives on the Vale Council, and a member of the Vale Council planning committee.