Mrs Treesa Cheston, of Taylor Avenue, Bearpark, submitted her proposal to convert her existing shed into a dog grooming room.
Plans, which were greenlit on December 23, will see the shed used strictly for dog grooming, with appointments limited to one dog at a time and a mandatory 10-minute gap between each to prevent any form of congestion or disturbance.
The business is set to operate from 9am until 5pm on weekdays, and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays and is set to remain closed on Sundays and public holidays.
The business is tied to Mrs Cheston, meaning that should she or her family vacate the property, the shed reverts to residential use only.
Mrs Cheston’s proposal fell under the council’s fast-track report, with consultations extended to seven neighbouring properties.
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No objections or comments were received from the consulted parties.
Statutory consultees also raised no objections, with the Highways Authority confirming that the existing triple driveway can sufficiently accommodate the business’s parking needs.
Environmental Health, while raising no objections, requested certain conditions be met to minimise noise and maintain the residential amenity.
The proposal aligns with the County Durham Plan Policies 6 and 31, which support small-scale businesses in residential settings, provided residential amenity is protected.
As no major external alterations are proposed, the council said the development does not adversely affect the visual character of the area.
The appointment-only system ensures limited traffic, and existing parking arrangements are deemed sufficient.
The proposal meets planning policy requirements under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and County Durham Plan and was recommended for approval subject to conditions.
An exemption to the biodiversity net gain condition was granted due to the proposal qualifying as a householder application.
The shed is visible from a public road, which will aid in any potential site inspections by the council. Mrs Cheston is now required to commence the development within three years of the approval date.