Two-building cattery business at Willowherb House, Southminster

What was proposed

A home-run cattery would use part of the rear garden and two timber structures, each measuring 6.4 metres by 3.9 metres.

“Application Number 25/00857/FUL Location Willowherb House, 81 Mountview Crescent, St Lawrence Southminster CM0 7NR Proposal S73A application for change of use of part of rear garden for cattery business; erection of 2 No.”

“The cattery structures are of timber construction, each measuring 3.9m deep by 6.4m wide and with a mono-pitched roof at a height sloping from 1.8m-2.2m. Each cattery would accommodate up to ten cats during use, albeit it is indicated that in usual circumstances usage would be much lower.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The detached house is in a mainly residential area, with the rear garden outside the settlement boundary and open fields beyond.

“The application comprises a detached singe storey residential property located on the western side of Mountview Crescent, within the settlement of St Lawrence. The majority of the site lies within the defined settlement boundary, with the rear section of the site (containing the proposed cattery structures) positioned just outside of the settlement boundary.”

“The area is predominantly residential in character, with surrounding properties being similar in style and scale to the application property. The site is situated within a rural residential area with open fields to the rear (west).”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

No other planning history relates to the site.

“No other planning history relating to the site 7. CONSULTATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the cattery an appropriately limited home business, with controls addressing noise, customer visits, parking and its relationship to the dwelling.

“The applicant has demonstrated that use is not likely to result in any adverse noise impacts and as such there is unlikely to be an impact on the amenities of adjoining residents by way of excessive noise and disturbance – this is in any event to be controlled by way of a Noise Management Plan. Any customer visits to the site would be restricted to one at any time, with time restrictions – which would prevent any adverse parking conflicts.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health raised no objection subject to the Noise Management Plan, while the parish council opposed the proposal for location, parking, traffic and other concerns.

“Name of Internal Consultee Comment Officer Response Environmental Health No objection subject to compliance with Noise Management Plan Noted…”

Officer report

Public views

One letter and a 43-signature petition supported the cattery, citing local need, limited trips and limited noise; no other objections were received.

“One letter was received in support of the application, highlighting the need for the cattery in the local area as an essential service, the misconception of possible noise and disturbance, the limited trips it would generate.”

“No other third party objections have been received. PROPOSED CONDITIONS”

Officer report

Who addressed members

A representative of St Lawrence Parish Council addressed the committee after the officer presented the report.

Members’ discussion

Members questioned whether the location was suitable and asked about noise mitigation, waste disposal and deliveries; officers explained the proposed controls.

“Following this a discussion ensued over how appropriate the Cattery business was in the proposed location. This led to questions to officers over noise mitigation, waste disposal and delivery of goods. The Officers highlighted the mitigations cited in the noise mitigation plan and licensing agreements believing that the operational requirements were sufficient.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A councillor proposed approval in line with the officer recommendation, the proposal was seconded, and the committee approved it.

“Following this Councilor V J Bell proposed that they approved the application in line with Officer recommendations. This was duly seconded.”

“Upon a vote being taken this proposal was approved.”

Minutes

The decision and conditions

The application was approved with conditions requiring compliance with the plans, ancillary use, no separate plot and operation under the Noise Management Plan.

“The cattery business use hereby approved shall be carried out only within the two cattery structures as identified on approved Location Plan drawing no. Block Plan L02, and shall be used solely in connection with and ancillary to the residential use of the dwellinghouse known as Willowherb House, 81 Mountview Crescent, St Lawrence Southminster CM0 7NR.”

“The cattery business hereby approved shall be operated in accordance with the approved Noise Management Plan submitted as part of the application. 491.”

Minutes