‘Quiet’ shelter for dogs

Press, 11 July 1980, Page 4

‘Quiet’ shelter for dogs

A dog shelter that the Christchurch ■: City- Council proposes to build in Bromley would have special features to limit noise, a planning hearing was told yesterday. Presenting evidence on behalf of the council for planning consent for the shelter behind the proposed metropolitan refuse., transfer station, at a site in Ruru Road, the assistant city health inspector (Mr D. R. Batten) said ■ that “fullest consideration” had been given to avoiding cause for complaint from neighbours.

The main environmental considerations for the council included provision of adequate noise control, as well as adequate drainage and general nuisance prevention. Considerable research had gone into the decision to build a permanent facility and into the choice of site, Mr Batten said. The proposed building would provide pens for at least 48 dogs and, if necessary, this capacity could be enlarged by “doubling up” smaller dogs. According to the assistant city architect (Mr G. F. Harper) the council’s plan envisaged high walls of reinforced concrete, with conical roofing designed to keep the noise in. The roof would be of corrugated asbestos so that rain clatter would be minimal and the dogs not unduly frightened. The underside of the ceiling would be lined with a sound absorbent material. One objection was made to the scheme. Mr R. Potts, of 244 Dyers Road, whose property would be 300 metres from the building, complained about likely nuisance and noise. The proposed use was contrary to

sound town and country planning principles, he submitted, and would detract from the rural atmosphere in the' area.

Mr Potts, who did not appear before the hearing, also, submitted that a shelter of the sort proposed would be “an undesirable activity” and should be put away from a main highway. Mr Batten emphasised that the site was o.9km from the nearest established housing area. The building would have a concrete floor graded for efficient removal of waste. This, together with regular cleaning, should prevent any nuisance. The council’s present premises for stray dogs was attached to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals property in Sockbum, but the arrangement to use that area was only temporary. A special agreement to house the dogs in such a rural area had been made with the National Hydatids Council for a limited period. Given these considerations, Mr Batten said, the need to obtain permanent suitable facilities had become urgent. The hearing’s commissioner (Mr J. R. Woodward) said that a decision would be announced “shortly.”