CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for a puppy farm in Trawden look set to win their battle.

Residents of Hollin Hall were furious when they heard in October that the owner of Slack Booth Farm wanted to use her land to breed greyhounds.

They feared the noise of dogs barking would keep them awake at night.

Pendle Council planning officers have backed their concerns after Colne councillors ruled the owner must apply for planning permission or face enforcement action.

Planning officer Lee Greenwood has advised councillors to turn down the application by J Kennedy to use an agricultural building for keeping, breeding and selling dogs when they meet on December 9.

And, as the applicant's agent has suggested it is a retrospective application, Mr Greenwood has said enforcement action should be taken to stop the building being used to breed greyhounds.

In a report to councillors, Mr Greenwood said: "It is considered that the proposed development would have an unreasonably adverse impact upon the amenities of neighbouring residential properties in relation to disturbance and noise from the barking of the dogs."

Mr Greenwood said no details of how noise nuisance would be dealt with nor how many dogs would be kept on the farm had been included in the report. He reckoned around 20 animals could be kept at Slack Booth at any one time.

He wrote: "The council's environmental health department has indicated the barn may be capable of being appropriately soundproofed.

"It would not mitigate against all noise nuisance because dogs cannot practically be confined indoors for long periods and are required to be exercised outdoors."

Colne and District Committee will discuss the application at Colne Town Hall on December 9 at 7pm.