A TOWN council that objected to new dog kennels is urging residents to voice any concerns with the development before it wins permanent planning consent.

Last month, Sedgefield Borough Council approved plans to set up boarding kennels in Ferryhill despite objections from neighbours and local councillors.

The scheme was approved for a year, after which members will review the use of the site, on Mainsforth Industrial Estate, and consider making the consent permanent.

Ferryhill Town Council had objected because members felt that kennels were an unsuitable use for the unit and feared noise pollution would disturb nearby residents, who objected on similar grounds.

It is now urging anyone who experiences problems with the kennels to raise the issue with the borough council.

A spokesman for Ferryhill Town Council said: "Only by doing this will Sedgefield Borough Council know of any problems.

"In the absence of such correspondence from residents, it is likely it will be presumed the kennels are causing no inconvenience and are an appropriate use of the premises and therefore permanent permission will be granted."

Greyhound owner Norman Smith, of Leeholme, near Bishop Auckland, is using the former industrial unit to house 25 of his racing dogs.

He said: "We started using the site as soon as we got planning permission and have had no complaints.

"We supervise the dogs and there is at least 200 metres and six industrial buildings between us and the nearest homes, so neighbours should not hear them.

"Businesses on the site are already benefiting from me being here, like a pet food supplier who my friends are now using.

"I also want to make sure there is no negative impact on neighbours so I don't have to uproot after settling in over the next year."

Charlie Walton, head of planning services at Sedgefield Council, said the authority granted planning permission because building alterations and 24-hour supervision will limit noise pollution.

He said: "As the approval is for a 12-month period, we will reconsider the situation next year and need public feedback."

Any comments should be sent to the Planning Department, Sedgefield Borough Council, Spennymoor, County Durham, DL16 6JQ.