Villagers triumph in Blofield Heath doggy daycare battle

Broadland Council officials have turned down the application to open the 11-acre facility in Blofield Heath.

Opponents had launched a campaign against the scheme, putting up signs and lodging more than 40 formal objections with the council.

They were concerned that the proposal by Annette White to open the floodlit facility on grassland at the back of her property would lead to light pollution and nuisance barking from animals, as well as bring traffic onto unsuitable country lanes.

Mark Wilkinson, who lives nearby, led the campaign against the plans.

He put up posters throughout the village and posted 150 letters to other locals encouraging them to object to Broadland Council.

Mark Wilkinson holding one of the signs he displayed around the village (Image: Bruno Brown)

"I am feeling somewhat vindicated after hearing that the plans have been thrown out.

"It has caused a great deal of upset in the village and truly scared people who were all fearing having to try and sell their homes," he said.

"I think the community's concerns over the planning application has actually brought the village together as we have all united against this and shared the same fears.

"I now know people by name and have conversations with people whose faces I previously just recognised because we have had to go to war and truly campaign against this.

"But I do feel an element of sadness for the applicant."

The access point to the site outlined in the plans from Blofield Road Corner near to Mr Wilkinson's home (Image: Bruno Brown)READ MORE: Neighbours at war over plans for huge doggy daycare centre in quiet Norfolk village

The gate was one of the access points to the development outlined in the plans on Dawsons Way (Image: Bruno Brown)READ MORE: Bellringers ordered to stop ringing after church tower starts wobbling

In a notice outlining their decision, council officials said they were not convinced the development was "necessary".

They also said the application "failed to adequately demonstrate that the scheme would not cause harm to the adjacent oak trees".

They also acknowledged concerns raised by residents stating the development "would have a significant detrimental impact upon the amenities of nearby residential properties by virtue of noise and light pollution".