Hebburn dog grooming salon plan approved despite claims it's 'not parking friendly'

South Tyneside Council's planning department has approved the application for dog grooming business

South Tyneside development chiefs have given the go-ahead for plans to transform an estate agent into a dog grooming business.

The planning department of South Tyneside Council has approved an application for 31-35 Station Road in Hebburn, submitted by 'My Dog Barber'.

The company's proposal was to convert the business unit into a dog grooming salon, with floor plans revealing an expanded reception area, grooming and bathing areas on the ground floor, as well as an office, staff area, toilet and kitchen. The proposed first floor also included office space, a meeting room, a kitchen and a toilet.

The application form outlined proposed staffing levels for the development, including four full-time jobs and one part-time role. Opening hours applied for were from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

During a public consultation exercise on the plans, one representation noted the "abundance of dog grooming salons within a mile of the area", suggesting that "any new jobs created will likely displace existing jobs" and that the proposed location is "not parking friendly" due to its position in a "busy shopping area on a main road".

After assessing the planning application against planning policies, South Tyneside Council’s planning department approved it on October 10, 2022.

Council planners, in a decision report, stated that "whilst there are a number of similar businesses in the area, there is not considered to be an over concentration of this type of use within the immediate area".

They also highlighted that the site was situated within an identified town centre and was "considered as a sustainable location for development of this type".

The council planners reassured that there would not be "any further significant harm to highway safety than the current situation" and that public car parking was readily available in the vicinity. In response to concerns about the "displacement" of existing jobs, it was noted that no objections had been received from South Tyneside Council’s business investment team.

The council decision report added: "In terms of disturbance as a result of noise and odours, the council’s environmental health team have been consulted on the application and they raise no objections."

Having regard to these comments, it is not considered there would be resultant harm in terms of noise or odours and based on the overall commercial nature of the area, no conditions are recommended regarding hours and days of operation. " For more details on the plan or council decision, visit South Tyneside Council’s planning portal website and search reference: ST/0490/24/FUL.

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.

To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN