PLANS for a new dog grooming business in Rockwell Green have been backed by Wellington town councillors.

They recommended the district council should approve an application by qualified groomer and pet first aider Nadine Stanyard to use a garden room at the rear of her home for the business.

Mrs Stanyard said demand for dog grooming in the area was high with waiting lists of up to eight weeks.

She said: “Many dog walkers I have spoken to are having to travel out of area to get their dog groomed.

“This will help to reduce carbon emissions as without this salon they would need to travel further to find a groomer. Grooming is vital for many breeds.”

Mrs Stanyard said she could only work on one dog at a time and take up to five per day because of the time it took to groom them.

She wanted to open 9am to 5.30pm on Mondays to Fridays and one Saturday a month, 10am - 4.30pm.

Cllr Janet Lloyd said she was disappointed that the application was retrospective because Mrs Stanyard had changed the use of the garden room in April before later submitting her planning application.

Cllr Lloyd said it was happening too often that people started up without first obtaining the proper permissions.

But Mrs Stanyard said the garden room had been updated for possible business use but she had not yet started the grooming enterprise.

And Cllr John Thorne added: “We should be encouraging local business start-ups and helping to support our local economy and create jobs. The applicant has clearly done her research.”

District council planning officer Denise Todd has until July 15 to determine Mrs Stanyard’s application.