PLANS for a replacement timber cabin at a Carlisle cattery have been approved by Cumberland Council.

The proposal is for Snuggles Cattery in Burgh Road and the replacement structure is for domestic and commercial use.

Planners at the council decided that planning permission should be granted, subject to a number of conditions, on Monday (June 10).

According to the planning application the existing log cabin has a 25.8 square metres internal area and it was for retrospective planning approval to continue its commercial use and also to add nine square metres of additional internal space on an area currently occupied by an existing building.

The applicant said: "The additional nine square metres would be dual use residential/commercial with two existing outbuildings are to be removed."

According to the application form the development would have space to two additional off-road parking for two cars. The form states: "We are fully insured and inspected regularly by the city's environmental team and licensed to keep up to 50 cats at any one time – although we rarely get above 25."

The form states that the business employs four staff, two of which are resident at the same address, and they have never received any complaints and generally get on well with the neighbours.

According to planning documentation published this week the cabin is positioned to the western boundary which adjoins the rear boundaries of properties at Vallum Gardens.

It states: "Separation distances between the outbuilding and these properties are approximately 19m. Given the height and position of the outbuilding in relation to neighbouring properties, the proposal will not have an adverse impact upon the living conditions of neighbouring properties in terms of loss of light, overlooking or over dominance.

"With regard to potential noise impacts it is noted that catteries do not normally raise noise issues."

The report concludes: "In overall terms, the principle of the additional outbuilding for the cattery is acceptable as there will be no adverse impacts upon residential amenity or highway safety.

"The outbuilding is appropriate to the site in scale, height and design, and would not adversely impact the character of the surrounding area.

"In all aspects the proposal is considered to be compliant with the objectives of the relevant local plan policies."