PLANS for a dog day care centre in Test Valley, which could create six new jobs, have been given the green light by planning chiefs.

A planning application was submitted to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to transform a barn and stables in Ridge Lane, Ower, into a place for pooches.

The plans, submitted by Country Pooch, will see the day care centre boast five new car parking spaces after they were approved on June 11.

Dog-lovers should now be able to use the day care centre, which will be open from Monday to Friday, starting at 9am and closing at 5pm; however, the facility will be closed every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.

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Hampshire Chronicle: The day care centre will be offering agility classes for dogs The day care centre will be offering agility classes for dogs

Now, one of the co-owners of the business, has revealed her joy after the plans were given the nod.

Co-owner of Country Pooch, Hannah Mead, said: "We are really pleased the planning application was approved and since then we have opened our doors to customers.

"So far, we have had fantastic reviews and the dogs have a great time here, so it is all going really well especially during this time.

"We have some relaxing facilities for the dogs where they can have some chill out time, but there are lots of things for them to do here as well."

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She added: "We have been offering training, which has gone through the roof at the moment because puppies have been born in lockdown.

"We have also just bought some agility equipment, so we can do classes there too."

As reported, one community leader was concerned about the day care centre being located “off the dual carriageway”, claiming dog owners may find it harder to drop their pooches off if there are “a lot of people going to work” during rush-hour.

Cllr Dorothy Baverstock, who represents Romsey Cupernham on the borough council, said: “It is out in the countryside, which should not be a problem, but the only thing is it is off the dual carriageway and people fly along there.

"It seems it would be somewhere near the Test Valley Crematorium, so if there are a lot of people going to work along that road and taking their dogs to the day care centre they will probably have to go right back to the roundabout and come up again.

"When you come up from the roundabout there is a turn to get to Ridge Lane and the crossing does fill up there."

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Dorothy Baverstock Cllr Dorothy Baverstock

She added: "If they [the applicant] does it successfully then the dogs will be content and shouldn't bark."

A statement from Country Pooch to TVBC read: "The property is an existing barn which has not been used for eight years.

"The business will be providing a pick up and drop off dog service, which will reduce the number of vehicles using the highways around the centre.

"However, vehicles that will use the highways will only do so between 8am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6pm Monday to Friday to drop off and collect their dogs."

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Hampshire Chronicle: The barn has been transformed after it was left for eight yearsThe barn has been transformed after it was left for eight years