A planned $2.2 million dog daycare and hotel facility has been supported by the City of Launceston council, but that's not before rigorous discussion by councillors.
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The plan allows for up to 150 dogs to be on site. Sixty dogs are capable of staying overnight, with the rest day visitors.
Winston Play and Stay will be the sister business of Pets Now Boarding based at Breadalbane.
A number of representors who spoke against the development raised concerns about noise, however the council was satisfied a supplied noise report would suffice.
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Ian Murrell, of Sharman's Wines, spoke strongly against the proposal. He said he had only found out about it a few weeks ago and was "shocked and disappointed". He said the development could cause the business to close.
Three other residents spoke against the development application raising concerns about noise. Georgia Greig said dogs bark when they're feeling all sorts of emotion and assured the council that neighbours would complain. She said there would be an increase in traffic, and possible crashes, as people rush to drop their dog off and get to work.
Relbia resident James Churchill said the noise of more than 100 barking dogs would travel right down the valley.
However, five people spoke for the application.
Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive Officer Neil Grose spoke in support of the development and said it was a sign of where the city was heading.
"Who would have thought that 10 years ago Launceston would need a doggy hotel," he said.
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Councillors remarked how unusual was it was to have more speakers and representations in support of the proposal than there was against. They said this showed there was a need in the community for the proposal.
Councillor Rob Soward addressed noise concerns by pointing out that there were no specific guidelines for dealing with noise, but the developers had sought out a noise report off their own back.
Councillor Paul Spencer said he went to another boarding kennel in the area and said he could hear the dogs "quite clearly" from about 500 metres away.
Cr Spencer did not say what sort of noise provisions were in place at the business, or if the building had been acoustically designed like the proponents of the Winston Play and Stay say they have for this development.
Developer Keri Thurley said the project had been in the works for two years.
Councillors Paul Spencer and Tim Walker voted against the development application.
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Journalist at The Examiner Newspaper
Journalist at The Examiner Newspaper
