Bruce’s Doggy Day Care had ‘no permission’ to expand ‘noisy’ business, neighbours say

People living on Copse Drive in Horsleys Green argue Bruce’s Doggy Day Care had ‘no permission’ to carve up land south of Studley Green Garden Store for its business – and described the continuous barking as “unbearable”.

A part-retrospective application, submitted to Buckinghamshire Council by Bruce’s, requests a change of use of the land “owned” by the garden store to operate as a canine day centre.

READ MORE: ‘Constant barking’ from dog shelter sparks ‘extreme anger’ over expansion plans

Wycombe Independent Cllr Darren Hayday requested the application be brought in for committee scrutiny, where he will speak against it.

He is furious neighbours have endured ‘months of constant barking’, adding land had been cleared and locals were not contacted.

Christina Tobin, of Copse Drive, said: “The day after the August Bank Holiday the field between my property and the garden centre was ripped up by large machines with no prior notice to the local people or consent from Bucks Council.

“The plan is to extend the dog centre to three times capacity. Presently the business says it has a licence for 50 dogs, so one would assume they could increase this to 200. This would be directly behind my garden fence.

“That area has always been protected and not been used previously in the five years my family have been here or years beyond that.

“They have completely ruined the field and upset the wildlife in preparation for something they had no permission for.”

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Mrs Tobin said the “almost constant” sound of barking, whimpering and ‘on occasion’ fighting since June has been “unbearable”.

She added: “I have submitted complaints to Bucks Council…as this business continues to threaten my family’s wellbeing and enjoyment of our home.”

Philippa and Zigi Fibert, also of Copse Drive, said they experience “non-stop barking” eight hours a day.

They added: “We have lived here peacefully for 21 years. This recent invasion has been a nightmare.

“We do not understand how permission was ever given for such an enterprise so close to people’s houses. Indeed, it wasn’t – permission is only now being sought retrospectively.”

The Fiberts claim a clause stipulates the field being developed should be “left fallow in consideration of the residents”.

“We don’t know what’s happened to that clause,” they added.

Bruce’s Doggy Day Care CEO and founder Bruce Casalis said: “The site has been a doggy day care facility for many years, but we now understand planning permission for use of land was not submitted by the previous provider.

“We are reusing an existing building and have not carried out any construction. Bruce’s opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays only and there are typically no more than five dogs on site after 4pm, therefore noise after 6pm cannot be attributed to Bruce’s.

“We are in ongoing communications with the neighbours and our understanding is that noise is coming from multiple locations.”

A spokesperson for Buckinghamshire Council said: “The noise nuisance issue is still being investigated. Once we have all the evidence, we will make a decision on whether a statutory nuisance exists or not and if that is the case, we will serve a Noise Abatement Notice.

“Our environmental health team has also been consulted on the current planning application and will be submitting comments on the completion of our noise nuisance investigation.”

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