Pakenham dog pool plans will need further West Suffolk Council decision despite overwhelming support
Plans for a dog pool in a village will need a further decision despite gathering overwhelming support.
Andrew Brownlie, of Canine Dip and Dive, applied for planning permission to install an above-ground pool for the training of dogs next to Pakenham Windmill, in Thurston Road.
On Wednesday, the application was up for debate by members of West Suffolk's development control committee.
Despite gathering 105 support representations from residents across the county and beyond, officers concluded the pool's location close to the windmill, a grade-II* listed building, would not be appropriate.
Mr Brownlie, who spoke at the meeting, said the business had been brought there by the owners of the mill as a way to raise awareness, with social media posts having reached millions of views.
A statement read out on behalf of Louise Cowen, a resident of Ixworth, described the officers' conclusions as a 'gross exaggeration' and argued the pool brought several benefits not just to the mill but to the wellbeing of its users.
The statement read: "The windmill is a historic site, but without active engagement, it risks becoming a forgotten relic — the pool has revived interest in the windmill.
"It does not block views or detract from the windmill or its surroundings, it enhances the overall experience of the site, rejecting this proposal based on exaggerated visual concerns would be a great disappointment."
This view was reiterated by Cllr Andrew Speed, the ward member, who stressed the overwhelming local support.
He added: "It's very rare that we have an application in front us where there is overwhelming public support, unanimous support at the parish council, no objections, no physical harm or change to the site in question."
During the debate, although councillors acknowledged the concerns raised by officers, they still proposed to accept the plans.
Cllr Jon London said: "We have something here which is not going to permanently affect the physical structures around the windmill but is already creating tremendous enjoyment, understanding of the windmill, and promoting it.
"I can't actually think of, if I could wave a magic wand, what I would put there that would do it better than the doggie dip and dive."
Cllr Don Waldron added: "Anything that brings people there and brings money there to help it surprise — it's all about the survival of the structure so I'm dead in favour of it."
Some members raised concerns about the blue colour of the infrastructure, but the final vote saw 13 members voting in favour of the plans, and two against them.
Because the vote was against the officers' recommendations of refusal, councillors were only able to issue a 'minded to' decision.
This means the application must now come back with extra details regarding its impacts, as well as with extra focus given to potential conditions, including the colour.
