Beach dog washing service rejected by planners

Plans for a round-the-clock dog washing facility at a car park near Instow in north Devon have been turned down.

Barnstaple-based company Dog Wash Express hoped to create the "self-service dog washing unit" near the coast path and Tarka Trail.

The dog washing service would have included a blow dryer and a big screen showing advertisements, but the company said it would not be visible from the beach or obstruct views from nearby properties.

But nine neighbours told North Devon Council the plan would impact the tranquillity of the area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The dog wash proposals included a shelter enclosure for the unit, two electric vehicle charging points and CCTV at Sandhills Car Park.

The council's environmental health manager said noise would be heard from barking dogs, car doors, vehicles manoeuvring to access the charging stations and people talking.

They said the noise impact was "likely to be significantly increased as a result of the facilities being lit and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Planning officers from North Devon Council said the principle of development in such a sensitive location was not supported by the North Devon and Torridge local plan and the application was rejected.

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