There will be plenty of tails wagging in the village of Dore, on the outskirts of Sheffield, after Caulmert secured planning approval on behalf of Forest Dogs
Looking to expand its offering as the first dog daycare facility of its kind in the city, the company, which offers walks and home boarding, was keen to utilise a former equestrian site on Shorts Lane.
Applicant Andy Irving engaged engineering, environmental, and planning consultancy Caulmert to secure planning permission for the 2.4-acre site’s change of use.
Plans for the space, located adjacent to the boundary of the Peak District National Park, and within the Sheffield Green Belt, outlined the intention to care for the dogs between 8am-5pm on weekdays and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
The application divided the community. It attracted 200 comments, including 100 objections, with Dore Village Society’s biggest concerns centred around noise from barking dogs and the effect on the landscape within the National Park.
However, with 100 letters of support, councillors voted 7-4 in favour of the proposal, concluding that the scheme would not negatively impact the landscape or the ecological value of the site.
Indeed, as members of the 1% for the Planet organisation, the local environment is a top priority for Forest Dogs, which has a plan for tree and hedge planting that would mean a net biodiversity gain.
It ended a process that had been ongoing for more than a year, with Caulmert planner Rebecca Bentley saying: “It was a fantastic moment when the green light was given.
“There was lots going on throughout the 12 months in terms of public comments – positive and negative – so to have the plans finally approved was a moment to savour for myself and Andy.
“It has been a long and unexpectedly complex journey, but one that I am proud to have been involved in, and I am looking forward to seeing Forest Dogs continue to grow.”
Andy, director of Forest Dogs, saluted the tireless work of the Caulmert team in securing planning.
He said: “I was advised to get a planning consultant involved from the outset, and I am so grateful that I chose them.
“They have always been on my side, helping me navigate a complex process with diligence and authority.
“I can only thank them in what was a real learning experience, and I hope that we can work together in the future.”
Founded in 2009, Caulmert is on track to meet an ambitious growth and development plan.
Its expertise in a variety of engineering, environmental, and planning disciplines is supported by its use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to a level two standard on many of its projects.
