Planning officers said the scale of the dog-keeping operation went beyond what could reasonably be considered incidental to a home and amounted to a material change of use. However, the wider application was recommended for refusal due to concerns about the number of dogs being kept on the site. Two neighbouring households objected to the plans, raising concerns about barking, the number of dogs being accommodated, possible breeding activities and the impact on nearby residents. In a report, planning officers said the proposal would result in "significant and ongoing noise and disturbance" because of the number of dogs and their proximity to neighbouring homes. Officers also said extensive fencing, kennels, pens and areas of hardstanding had fundamentally altered the character of the former paddock.