Plans to open a dog grooming business in a County Durham property have been approved by the council.

The decision to grant the application, submitted by Mr and Mrs I Mounter, allows the conversion of a garage at 15 Rookery Gardens, Rushyford, into a dog grooming studio.

It will operate from 9am to 5pm, three days a week, catering to three to four dogs per day, strictly by appointment only. No activity will take place on Sundays or bank holidays.

Soundproofing measures have been implemented to reduce noise levels, and all grooming will take place with doors closed to further mitigate any potential disturbances.

The application was assessed against key planning policies including the National Planning Policy Framework and the County Durham Plan which emphasise sustainable development, balancing economic, social, and environmental factors.

It has a history of approved developments, including a lounge/kitchen extension in 1980 and a conservatory in 2005.

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During the consultation phase, no objections were raised from the public.

The Highways department also raised no objections, stating that the traffic from the grooming business would not significantly impact local roads or parking.

Environmental Health had some concerns about potential noise but were satisfied with the proposed measures to restrict the number of dogs and business hours, suggesting soundproofing and limiting grooming to one dog at a time.

The development is considered compliant with local and national planning policies.

Conditions have been imposed to protect residential amenity.

These include limiting the number of dogs, operating days, and maintaining an appointment-based business model.

The business can only operate for three days per week and must be run by members of the applicant’s family.

If the property changes hands, the business must cease, and the garage must revert to residential use.

The development is exempt from the requirement to submit a biodiversity gain plan due to statutory exemptions.