A DOGGY day care centre in Barrhead will be allowed to open for longer after winning an appeal.

The Canine Cottage opened its doors in July last year despite having never gained planning permission for its premises on Cogan Street.

In January, the facility was given consent to open for 51 hours a week, despite having asked for 67-and-a-half hours.

Planning chiefs had initially granted consent for the building to open between 9am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 5pm Thursday and Friday, and 9am to 2pm on Saturday.

They claimed those hours would help protect residents from early morning and late-night noise.

But in her appeal, owner Elizabeth Polson said: “Our business involves day care. Most people start work at 9am and would need to drop off their pet before 9am, and cannot collect them until after work is finished, usually after 5.30pm.

“To function as a day care we require opening hours from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday as these are the most common work days.

“We cannot function on the hours consented.”

Last week East Renfrewshire’s review body overturned the decision of the planning committee.

It means that The Canine Cottage will now open between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 5.30pm on Saturdays.

Ms Polson was also given permission to open until 10pm one day a week, despite objections by neighbours.

One resident, Pauline Mackle, said: “As far the dog care grooming, I don’t object, but during the summer I could hear dogs barking throughout the day.

“I only have limited days holiday but to hear dogs barking when I am trying to relax isn’t very good.

“I suppose the dog grooming wouldn’t be so bad as they are in and out, but I object to the ‘party’ and prolonged visits to the premises, purely because of the constant barking throughout the day.”

James Hairstanes added: “Cogan Street is already congested, and on-street parking is already a problem with parking blocking the access lanes and garage and seven and nine Cogan Street.

“There has been an increase in noise from dogs leading to a loss of amenity.

“There has been an increase in dog fouling in Cogan Street.”

But Local Review Body member Stewart Miller insisted the original planning decision should be overturned and the facility should be open for up to 67.5 hours.

He said: “It’s a commercial area and I am quite happy that it has got a commercial purpose. I would suggest that the fact the facility is insulated should help the noise levels.

“Barking dogs aren’t ideal, but I don’t see a problem with the hours applied for.”

Provost Jim Fletcher added: “The owners have spent a bit of cash on it. I don’t think it’s visually detracting from the area. It’s actually improving it.

“It is a very tight area for turning vehicles. The applicants seem to suggest that there’s not many dogs there at the one time.

“When we visited there was no noise.”

Councillors voted 3-2 in favour of granting the increased hours.