Faifley residents raise fears over dog daycare plans

Proposals for the change of use from equestrian purposes to dog daycare, free run fields, and in-house kennelling at Cochno Town Farm were submitted by Victoria Paterson to East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) on February 13.

Entrance to the site (Image: East Dunbartonshire Council)

Cochno Town Farm sits on the outskirts of Faifley and despite having a Clydebank address and postcode the land does fall within the boundaries of EDC.

It comes after a similar planning application for the site, which was also submitted by Ms Paterson, was rejected in March 2023.

Documents published at the time stated that the reason for refusal was due to the plans being contrary to several of EDC’s local development plan policies.

The most recent application outlines proposals to create a dog daycare centre in the farm’s main stable with a dedicated outdoor area in field one, a dog run/walk space in fields three and four, and overnight in-house kennelling in the detached cottage. 

Earlier plans had proposed creating boarding kennels in the former arena building and field two as well as turning the second barn building into dog grooming studios however these are not included in the recent documents.

It is proposed that the dog daycare centre would operate between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday and could take care of up to 30 dogs. 

The free-run fields would be available to the public to rent for 30-minute slots between 8am and 8pm Monday to Sunday with a maximum of eight dogs in each field. 

The overnight in-house kennelling would run 24 hours seven days a week taking care of up to ten dogs. 

Overall, there could be up to 56 dogs at the site at any one time during the day between Monday to Friday and up to 26 at the site in the evenings. Over the weekend there could be a total of ten dogs at the site overnight.

Cochno Town Farm has been vacant for a number of years and is a former quarry and landfill.

The proposed site’s boundaries currently sit close to several properties in Faifley.

Flats in Whitehill Crescent in Faifley sit close to the site [the fenced area] (Image: Linda McCready)

Pictures show the close proximity between homes and the site boundary (Image: Linda McCready)In East Dunbartonshire, the nearest neighbour is a single detached house to the north-west.

The plans have prompted some concerns from nearby residents in Faifley. 

Among them is Linda McCready who told the Post she feels there are enough dog boarding/free-run facilities in the area already. 

She said: "Letters were sent out to properties within 20 metres of the site. In it, it says that there is nothing like this within five miles. 

“There may be not be anything within five miles on the East Dunbartonshire side but if you cross over into West Dunbartonshire there are several. 

“There are three dog run-free fields at the bottom of the road (Faifley Road) that are open from 7am to 9.30pm. 

“There are also boarding kennels on Cochno Road. The dog daycare centre is going to be next to the flats in Whitehill Crescent. 

“I spoke to a few folks up there and they knew nothing about it because they didn’t get any letters. The proposal was resubmitted along with a noise survey. 

“The survey talks about putting up a wooden fence which will reduce the noise of dogs barking. I’ve never heard of a fence that can do that.

“When there are lots of dogs in the field at the bottom you can hear the barking all the way up here.

"You can also hear the dogs barking from Ringstones and Arisaig kennels on a quiet night and now they’re wanting to put this at the back of us.

“Having multiple dog free-run fields next to a highly populated area should not be allowed. Why should West Dunbartonshire residents suffer?” 

Graphic representing potential noise levels at the site during the day (Image: East Dunbartonshire Council)A graph representing potential noise levels at the site during the day after the fence has been installed (Image: East Dunbartonshire Council)

A graph representing potential noise levels at the site at night (Image: East Dunbartonshire Council)Linda raised further issues she believes will have a negative impact on local residents. 

These include being unable to open windows/doors during warm weather due to noise, the impact of “constant barking” on night shift workers and those who work from home, and the resale value of homes close to the site. 

West Dunbartonshire’s Provost Douglas McAllister explained that he has been contacted by “numerous” people over the plans. 

Provost McAllister said: “If the application is granted, it will have an adverse effect on my constituents. This appears to be a similar application to last year with very little material change, therefore the principal of my objection on behalf of the residents of Faifley remains.

“I support the people who have explained to me that this is not a suitable location for a dog daycare centre.  

“It will create significant noise disturbance and loss of amenity for the local residents. It is too near the houses of the local residents. 

“It is unfair on my constituents to live in close proximity to such a centre. I am aware of a number of Faifley residents who have written directly to EDC submitting their objections or representations.

“I have also sent my own letter of objection on behalf of the community of Faifley, as has my colleague, Councillor Lawrence O’Neill.  

“I also asked West Dunbartonshire Council’s Planning Department to contact East Dunbartonshire to express our concerns.  

“The local residents of Faifley have my full support on this matter.”

Ahead of the deadline to submit objections to the plans on March 14 a petition was launched calling on EDC to reject them.

It gathered 106 signatures and was delivered to the local authority’s headquarters. 

Heather Holland, executive officer of land planning & development at EDC, said: “This application is currently pending consideration and the council’s Environmental Health Service has been consulted in relation to potential noise issues.

“The correct procedures were followed in relation to neighbour notification however representations can be made by any member of the public or any group. 

“The target for representations was March 14, 2024, but any representation received later than this date will be considered if possible.  

“Officers will consider this application and recommend a course of action in due course.”