ANGRY residents have launched a petition following news that the Cats Protection League has intentions to turn a property into a cattery.

Residents in the Chester Lane area of Sutton Manor were notified three weeks ago of the league's intentions to establish a cattery at 100 Chester Lane.

Plans include the addition of a further quarter acre of land, a quarantine area for sick cats and the erection of 40 cat houses, as well as the inclusion of an office and a shop in the existing house and a car park for 12 cars.

But residents fear that if the centre gets the go-ahead it will cause traffic problems on Chester Lane and they are also concerned about health implications. Colin Hatton, of Farndon Avenue, which backs on to the proposed site, explained: "I have two daughters, aged 15 and 12, and the youngest one suffers quite badly from asthma. Doctors have warned us that animal fur can trigger attacks and we're also worried that the centre could attract vermin.

"But our main concern is regarding traffic. We've already had a number of accidents on Chester Lane and the last thing we need is people creating hazards by parking on the road because they can't get into the centre car park."

He added: "Local residents are up in arms over the proposals and we already have more than 180 signatures from people in the area opposed to the centre. We just don't believe that this sort of centre should exist in the middle of a residential area." But Kath Jones, co-ordinator of the St Helens Branch of Cats Protection, said: "Every year we receive hundreds of calls about injured cats needing expensive treatment or simply to find a new home. Having a cattery would be a dream come true. It would be an asset to the people of St Helens and would mean that we could help many of the cats we presently have taken away. "The shelter would be purpose built with a live-in warden and a team of staff to make sure the cats are cared for at all times. the intention is to landscape the front of the site so that it is in keeping with the surrounding area.

"The cattery will be at the back of the warden's house and as such will not be visible from the road. We are anxious to create a rescue shelter which the people of St Helens can be proud of, and I can assure them that every attention has been given to detail to ensure that local people will not have their lives disrupted."

Anyone who would like to have their say about the application can write to: Mike Carr, Town Hall, Corporation Street, St Helens (quoting reference P/99/00181/MCC).

Anyone who would like to find out more about the Cats Protection League can contact Kath on 0151 426 8789.

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