It is proving to be a serious bone of contention among locals in leafy Blofield Heath...
Plans by one villager to open an 11-acre 'dog daycare' centre - to look after animals while their owners are at work - have driven neighbours barking mad and dug up deep tensions in the community.
Opponents have launched a campaign against the scheme, putting up signs and lodging more than 40 formal objections with the local council, which is due to decide its fate next week. Not a single letter in support has been sent to the authority.
The uproar has been triggered by a planning application lodged by Annette White to open the facility on grassland at the back of her property, between Blofield Corner Road and Dawson's Way.
The plans include a parking area, the daycare centre itself and a floodlit exercise and agility field, with a 6ft metal fence around the perimeter.
The centre would be able to care for up to 30 dogs and be open from 7am "until dark".
Neighbours say it will create a noise and smell nuisance, cause traffic problems in quiet rural lanes and would light up the village "like the Blackpool Illuminations".
LEADING CRITIC
Mark Wilkinson, who lives nearby, has been one of those leading the opposition.
He has put up several posters throughout the village and posted 150 letters to other locals encouraging them to lodge their objections with Broadland District Council.
"I have countless issues with the plans and see the application as a genuine danger for the village: the noise generated by all the additional vehicles roaring through the village; obviously the dogs themselves will be barking, yapping and growling constantly throughout the day from early morning to late at night.
"Many of us moved here for the peace and tranquillity the village offered. This would be shattered.
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"This type of business is not in keeping with the village. The infrastructure will not be able to cope with an extra 200 plus vehicle movements and the access points outlined are not viable."
ACCESS ISSUES
Under the plans, the dog daycare centre would be closer to Phil Moxon's property than to Ms White's, something which rankles with him.
He said: "In the plans, it is as far away from her house as it can be.
"We are all so angered by the plans, I almost do not know where to start. If you listen closely you can just hear the A47 in the background, but other than that it's just birds and pure tranquillity."
Much of the fury is about the use of a quiet lane, Dawson's Way, for access.
Mr Moxon added: "The flow of cars which could be coming down our quiet leafy lane, which is used by residents only. There is already a constant battle against potholes. It would be like having the A47 on my doorstep.
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"I also have concerns about the dog waste. Where will that go? As much as I like dogs, they are loud, smelly, and not always difficult to control, as much space as there is."
Like Mr Moxon's, Nicola Arthurton's property overlooks the daycare facility.
She said: “We have been loving the tranquil life and picturesque field views for the past decade, and cannot get enough of it.
“The floodlights will light my house like Blackpool Illuminations, it will be a violation of privacy and a mockery to the beautiful surroundings here.
“I think it is ludicrous. Why would we want it on our quiet lane which will spoil everything lovely about what we have?
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“How would you like a dog field in the middle of your garden, with the sound of barking and smelly animals?"
FRIENDSHIPS ENDED
William Bugle said the planning application had spoiled his previously friendly relationship with his near neighbour and that they no longer spoke.
He believes the scale of the proposed facility was initially downplayed.
"It was made out that there would be up to five dogs and it was really more of just a dog walking thing," he said.
"Then the plans appeared and we just couldn't believe it.
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"Having worked for the Met Police for many years, I moved here to enjoy the countryside for what it is.
"We have different types of deer, owls, foxes, who all enjoy the fields here and this dog facility will destroy their habitat.
"But above that the residents, who enjoy the tranquillity the village offers, would have to put up with 30 penned-in dogs. When one starts barking it will set the others off, it would be just unbearable."
Bill Ridley, 65, said: "The idea of putting up with constant barking on the doorstep would add to the noise and disruption the influx of cars in the area would cause. It would be a nightmare.
"The village has struggled to cope with the huge housing developments of late, and this just seems absurd, especially as there is already a dog facility in Salhouse just 1.5 miles away."
Lorraine Snelling, who provides childcare at her daughter's house, which backs onto the field outlined for the development, said: "I think it is a blatant violation of privacy on the village, and in particular my daughter and her family who will be directly affected.
"Currently the house has a lovely pastoral landscape. The view from the property and garden will be absolutely spoilt when a 6ft metal fence, towering lights, kennels, and up to 30 barking dogs are put in."
DECISION LOOMS
Ms White has declined to comment on the uproar.
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In her planning application, she says she would be willing to discuss any points raised with officials.
The document states: "If the proposal requires clarification or amendment, the applicant would like to discuss any points raised with the planning department prior to deliberation."
Broadland District Council is expected to decide on the application on February 28.
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