Hemsby cattery plans to be discussed by borough council

Aron and Faye Howard have applied to build a cattery at New Farm Bungalow on Newport Road in Hemsby.

The 23-pen boarding house would have sleeping and exercise areas, and secure corridors to ensure the furry guests won’t pull any disappearing acts.

The cattery would be for housing cats while the owners are away from home. 

The couple are proposing to build two outbuildings to the rear of their existing bungalow.

A 23-pen cattery could be built behind a bungalow on Newport Road in Hemsby. (Image: Google Maps)

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The pens would contain sleeping and exercise areas and "a secure corridor would add an extra layer of security for the cats and would prevent their escape".

Plans say it would be open five days a week from 9am to 4pm and that drop-offs and collections would be by appointment only, with each pet staying for a minimum of three days.

Of the 23 proposed pens, 19 could accommodate up to two cats from the same household and the remaining four pens could house up to four cats from the same home - resulting in a total capacity for 54 cats.

According to the plans, potential odour issues would be mitigated by weekly waste collections, spot cleaning every morning and evening, and the pens being deep cleaned when vacant.

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The application will be discussed at a meeting of Great Yarmouth Borough Council's development management committee on Monday, September 16.

In a report prepared ahead of the meeting, planners have recommended the bid for approval. 

They said the cattery supports the creation of a new business in the rural community.

Another reason for permitting the bid was the appointment-only system for dropping off and picking up cats.

This was considered to represent an appropriate solution to mitigating potential highways impacts and also minimising noise disruptions to neighbours.