OWNERS of a York business which provides shelter for unwanted animals are set to be dealt a major blow to their hopes of finding a new home.

A scheme to turn the site which currently houses the Fossbank Boarding Kennels in Earswick into three new homes is expected to be turned down by planners when they meet next week.

Proposals for the mini-housing development were drawn up after the owners of the kennels and cattery in Strensall Road turned their attention to finding fresh premises due to restrictions being placed on their opening hours. They planned to use the sale of the land to fund this switch.

The limitations were imposed following complaints from people living nearby about the noise created by the business, which had also seen the number of animals it was allowed to care for reduced and the loss of a contract with City of York Council for housing stray cats and dogs.

But the council’s planning officers have now recommended its east area planning sub-committee refuse the homes proposal as it would harm surrounding Green Belt land. They also raised concerns that a site for the kennels to be moved to had yet to be found.

A report to go before the planning meeting stated: “It is unfortunate and distressing for the applicants that the adjacent residential development, over the years, has encroached on their property to the point that they now suffer regular complaints about the noise emanating from the boarding kennels.

“These complaints have had a severe impact on the effective operation of their business, with the implementation of restricted opening hours.

“There is also the very real possibility that the applicants could be served a Noise Abatement Order, which would effectively put them out of business.

“It is therefore imperative that they move to a more remote property. The redevelopment of the kennels and its eventual sale would allow this to happen.”

But it stated the homes scheme “constitutes inappropriate development harmful, by definition, to the openness and purpose of the Green Belt”. It said the removal of the noise nuisance which has angered residents was not enough to outweigh the potential damage to nearby countryside.

The report concluded the housing scheme would not have adequate access to shops, schools and health facilities.