Bosses at the North Shropshire Hunt have assured neighbours of a proposed kennels for up to 80 dogs near Whitchurch they will not be disturbed.
The group, which is seeking planning permission for the kennels in Ossage Lane, Whixall, said the dogs would not be too noisy and would be friendly to other animals or people they meet while out walking.
The hunt also reassures people dead stock brought into the kennels to feed the hounds would be used within 24 hours, and the remains incinerated, so smells would be kept to a minimum.
The assurances come after people at a public meeting in Wem last month raised concerns about the proposals, which would see the kennels, plus on site accommodation for the staff, built on the site.
They said the kennels would be noisy and smelly, and young children or family pets might be threatened by the hounds.
Ann Carding, huntmaster, said people should visit www.northshropshirehunt.co.uk to have some of their questions about the kennels answered.
She said: “If people go to the website and read some of the comments I think it will allay some of their fears.”
A decision on the application is expected from North Shropshire District Council by the end of October.
32 Comments
I used to live next to hunt kennels in Herefordshire, wish they were my neighbours now!
They never bothered our cat although we had to keep our dog inside whe she was in season.
Only real problem was when some weirdos in balaclavas came round in the night to attack the kennels.
Other than that I’m sure it will be delightful, particularly as they dont actually kill foxes anymore.
i THINK SOME PEOPLE JUST WHINGE FOR THE SAKE OF IT,as stated worried for there kids/pets what a load of ill imformed clap trap they have more chance of beoing bit by there own dog , i realy do think some people believe every word they read in all manner of publications i bet many who are complaining are the type who complain about the smells of the country side or affordable homes for locals.
80 dogs will not be noisy or smelly????
Are they living in cloud cockoo land
how on earth will they get 80 dogs to shut up?
Ask them nicely?
I doubt it.
I live near to a boarding kennal which only holds 20 dogs and the noise and smell from it is unbelievable
No doubt the hunts people will say anything to get there own way
Good luck I hope you get planning permission. If the public have such a problem they should try visiting a hunt kennel on an open days with an open mind, or go and see the packs of hounds at one of the many agricultural/ game fairs.
Having read the hunt’s web page it certainly paints a rosy picture. (But there again you wouldn’t publish something that didn’t).
If they address all the factors as they say they will this proposal sounds reasonable. Being a dog owner I understand that people can be nervous around dogs and that can affect the dog’s attitude towards them Hounds like Staffordshire terriers are misunderstood breeds which are actually very friendly unless they are bred to be nasty.
But, and there’s always a ‘but’ the noise would be a concern if I were to live nearby. Could I suggest the kennels rent some loudspeakers, record a 24hr period of their present kennels and then rebroadcast it at the new site at the appropriate levels. Thus giving locals and any visiting planning members the chance to hear for themselves what could be expected.
Helen hit the nail on the head - go and visit the existing kennels before you comment.
Surley hounds are what u expect in the countryside? The next thing you will know is all these townies, buying up the countryside thinking its their own play area, will want cockrels muzzled!
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
nothing wrong with hunt kennels, hunting is far more popular now than it has ever been. we have several meets all well attended, and the hounds follow a trail not a fox. thank you new labour for cleaning up hunting and for making it so popular. even the bearded neds find little to complain about. tally ho, yoicks sir jorrocks over the sticks!!!
as if hundreds of dogs wont be noisy, woof
People just dont seem to understand what a hunt kennel is. Its HOME to these hounds. They are appy, content, play wiv one another, loads fo excercise and room to run around. They are content.I know I lived next to one.
Boarding kennels have distressed dog, with no idea what happening to the, little or no excercise, no interaction with other dogs (essential for the well being of a pack animal). No wonder they howl all the time!
To object to hunt kennels because you have heard bad things about boarding kennels is like objecting to an old peoples home becuse you have heard bad things about bail hostels!
yes thats right 80 odd hounds renowned for their howls will be quiet as a mouse, and pigs might fly
…specially trained whispering hounds.. don’t ‘cha know. Then killed when they can’t kill anymore.
having a neighbour with just a cute little collie keeps me awake so i appreciate the concerns about a whole kennel full, to suggest they wont stink too is just plain wrong, be honest the kennels should be located somewhere further away from others, jsut not in my back yard or anyone elses
yes dogs dont bark, or smell, and i’m the queen of sheba
get over it the countryside is smelly, it cant be as bad as living next to a chicken farm
The hunting dogs are all washed in perfumed scents to reduce fox smelling the typical dog smell.
therefore the only smell will be of rosey perfume.
would they prefer a cattery, meows are quieter?
woooooof woof
i think hunting hounds prefer camay soap
Having attended the public meeting in July many of the comments were made by people who do not live in the area of which will now be affected. Whixall is a very different place, it is very flat and noise does travel. You can hear the church bells in Wem sometimes, even the trains, the firework displays at Cholmondely and even Shrewsbury. Conversations can be heard in gardens on what we Whixallians call those Whixall days and nights. Having had 12 Mastiffs in the past, I do know what dogs sound like. I had very considerate and patient neighbours, but I would not have wished to have subjected them to around 80 dogs. I also do not see the need for such a large pack now, as hunting with dogs is now illeagal. Surely around 20 or so would seem more realistic. Why not each member adopt a couple of hounds themselves and turn up at the hunt with these dogs, which I am sure will all have a better quality of life in a nice home environment. As to all the happy people who wish that the kennels were near them, I say to the North Shropshire Hunt, go find these people and move there, complete with all the smells, barking etc. And yes I do know what I am talking about there also, having worked within my own family butchery business with our own slaughterhouse for 25 years. Smells, wow you don’t know the meaning of smell, and of course our slaughterhouse had all the mod cons, proper drainage, fridges, cold rooms, and of last but not least daily collections for all the waste, not an incinerator. The whole of Whixall will be subjected to the ever popular aroma of a bbq, 24/7. Wonderful. Yes the countryside is smelly, though It should not be quite as smelly in this day and age. Proper farming practices would alleviate much of this. In my opinion Whixall was chosen because it was thought to be an easy option. No one will mind, no will care, it’s a backward place anyway. Well it aint. Not anymore. It may have a few people who don’t really give a dam about the surrounding countryside or even care about the community, or even wanting to improve it, but Whixall is changing for the better, and is becomming loved, and cared for, so I suggest to the bods of the North Shropshire hunt, look elsewhere.
this should be about the planning application which should be objectively assessed on noise, traffic, visual impact, odour and other tangible impacts on the neighbourhood, not about moral ethical beleifs of people of fox hunting
why not object because hunting is abhorant? I would object to an arms factory or an abetoir being built near me, not just on planning grounds but on a moral objection to their murderous intent
Ah but as all the hunters will tell you hunting is banned
:o)
just don’t tell that to the poor foxes on hunt meets
If people want to hunt they should arrange drag hunts with perhaps the hunt master the one being hunted.
I’m sure lot’s of anti hunt demostrators would love to take part in hunting hunt masters or outspoken supporters of hunting
after all it is just for fun
Blimey, everyone has the right to be ignorant, but some people on thos thread seem to take that right for granted!
I have lived next to Hunt kennel and know what I am talking about. No one else seems to or seems to have even visited one!
Re Jakes comment, quite right, why do people still have an unjustified ill will for these people - its banned.
I repeat for Brian the Brian, its banned. Do you find War re-enactment societies abhorant because they re-enact battles and keep alive the memory of dispicable war crimes like Culloden?
I save the best for last - JPARS. I presue that you dont realise that Hunt kennels have to meet the same EU regulations as slaughter houses. I’m quite shocked that you dont know this and certainly dont fancy any meat from you!
So u haveing 12 Mastiffs is ok, which I expect people would have objected to if u needed planning, but when its someone elses hounds u r the classic NIMBY.
As for the countryside being smell, u make me laugh, what do u really expect. Why dont you move to the city where its so nice then. While ur there take issue with the street gangs, pimps, sexual expolitation, litter, vandalism and other general blights on the inner city and see how they react.
You might think u r on some mission to make Wixhall the garden of Eden, but the people who are idigenous to the area dont seem to want your idea of rural paridise.
I am happy to be called a Nimby, so hi again from a happy nimby, and have you asked the people of Whixall if they would like a nicer place to live in. I am sure the majority would like cleaner safer roads, roads which are repaired, and mud which is occaisonally removed from the roads by those responsible, other than taking it home on our vehicles, feet, hooves etc. I have lived in Whixall for nearly 20 years and have seen many improvements which I have not been responsible for, unfortunately. All down to the locals, incomers, oldies whomever, and good for them too. Hunt kennels should be housed where the hunt holds its meets. Maybe they should be looking at a much larger property, more land so the dogs can be exercised without the potential hazards which have been raised, and which is a cause for concern for local residents. Hunt kennels have to meet the regs. of knackerers yards which are different to that of slaughterhouses where meat is killed for human consumption. I am sure that the hunt kennels will try to be good neighbours, lets hope that they try somewhere else.
I quote Y Mab “I’m sure lot’s of anti hunt demostrators would love to take part in hunting hunt masters or outspoken supporters of hunting”
So you are saying that anti-hunt people would enjoy chasing and killing humans just because they used to participate in a past time that is now banned?
I mite not be able to spell hippocrit but I know what it means!
Any anti-hunt people care to confirm or deny their wish to take another human life in the name of their cause, or do they respect the rule of law and its enforcement?
Or is Y Mab misrepresenting anti-hunt people?
lol - its only a bunch of smelly dogs folk, calm down
can i borrow a couple of them dogs please as a fox ate three of my chickens and as i only have one left now its stopped laying.
I think your have the wong end of the stick Lucy W
I would never advocate killing any people who enjoy taking part in hunting.
But by all means lets chase then over 20 miles until they are ready to keel over from exhaustion and then let a pack of hounds savage them.
After all if its enjoyment for the foxes I can’t see how pro hunt people can complain of being put in the same situation.
It could be a new reality TV show.
Hunting the huntsmen.
JPARS, well glad that you accept that you are a NIMBY as NIMBYs object to everything from their self-interest rather than broader reasoed argue ment.
Generally I sense a venemous hatred for the hunting folk who are the victims of racism, yes racism.
I mean if they had black faces and fuzzy hair and said keeping lots of dogs was their cultural heritage, you wouldn’t dare say anything. But no they are true british people proud of our country’s traditions and this is how they are treated by biggots who know nothing about Hunt kennels and dont seem to want to get up from their computers and find out.
Lets face it, if there was a planning proposal for a Halal slaughter house, I bet you wouldn’t dare be so biggotted and ignorant would you?
It’s not about anti-hunting, it is about the issue of whether the kennels are a development of appropriate size and scope for the environment in which the proposal would place them. They are not, and in all expectation NSDC will turn down the application as deficient in detail, wrong in fact, and unsuitable for the area.
BTW: Lucy W - please buy a spell checker for your computer.
Can I have one as a pet..?
Twistin my melon, Very soory to hear aboout ur loss. Have hatched some Burford White cross Legbar if you are interested. Some lay the green eggs that that Waitrose sell for silly money, but at the end of the day, one chicken ovulation is the same as the next one.
Y Mab.I quote u:”I would never advocate killing any people who enjoy taking part in hunting. But by all means lets chase then over 20 miles until they are ready to keel over from exhaustion and then let a pack of hounds savage them”
Errr? surely thats a contradiction?
Rad: I quite agree, sadly this thread has been blighted by anti-hunting bigotry. I have merely share my experience of living next to Hunt Kennel, yet get attacked by people who have never visited one.
Tired: I would imagine that you can and see no reason why you couldnt have 100 and you wouldnt need planning permission if you kept them in small dog kennels. However I recommend chickens as pets personally and will have some poulets for sale soon. If anyone wants a cock, its free.