13 May 2025
The Assistant Minister for the Environment, Constable Mike Jackson, has upheld the
refusal of planning permission for the use of land and proposals for new
development at Field MN494, La Rue des Buttes, St Martin, for its use as a dog day
care centre.
This follows the outcome of two planning appeals submitted by The Barkley Club Ltd.
The appeals related to:
- P/2024/0927: the refusal of planning permission for a dog day care centre,
including the construction of an new building, car parking, and landscaping
- ENF/2024/00016: the refusal of retrospective planning permission to change
the use of the field for a dog care and training centre following the service of
an enforcement notice requiring the cessation of this use.
Both appeals concerned the entire Field MN494, located to the south of St Martin’s
Village.
Following an independent review by a planning inspector, the Assistant Minister
accepted the inspector’s recommendations and dismissed both appeals. The
enforcement notice has been upheld, with a revised compliance period of nine
months granted to enable the cessation of all unauthorised activities on the site.
Key Planning Considerations
The planning inspector identified two principal issues:
- The loss of high-quality agricultural land
- The potential for noise generated by barking dogs to unreasonably impact
the amenities of nearby residents.
While the inspector acknowledged that the facility is professionally managed and
meets a demand for dog care services, he concluded that these benefits did not
outweigh the clear policy conflicts. The site is identified as good quality agricultural
land the loss of which could only be justified in exceptional circumstances under the
policies set out in the Island Plan.
Outcome
- The appeal against the refusal of planning application P/2024/0927 has been
dismissed
- The appeal against the refusal of retrospective planning permission to change
the use of the field for a dog care and training centre has also been
dismissed, and the enforcement notice (ENF/2024/00016) upheld but with a
revised nine-month compliance period.​
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