We had not been involved in the original planning application but were asked to review the application after it had been refused and advise on the best course of action. It was immediately clear to us that the council had applied their planning policies incorrectly but there was further evidence required to deal with the claims of noise nuisance form the use. RCC therefore engaged an acoustic consultant to review the current noise issues and look at whether any mitigation was required. It was agreed that there was a way forward that could keep the noise levels within the required standards and that these details could be submitted as part of a planning appeal with RCC then arguing the case on the other planning issues.
There was very strong objections from some locals and from others who raised no planning issues concerning the whole principle of whether greyhound racing should be allowed. RCC could however only look at and address the planning issues as part of the appeal and the Government's Planning Inspector in allowing the appeal also made this position very clear.
