Cotswold dog owner's anxious wait (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cotswold dog owner's anxious wait

A COTSWOLD greyhound racer has a nervous month ahead before he learns whether he can continue to live with his dogs.

Grant Gillett, 49, was given temporary permission to live in a mobile home at his kennels in Southrop in January 2004 - but that permission ran out last month when Cotswold District Council planners ordered him and his wife off the site.

However, Mr Gillett decided to take his case to the Secretary of State and, at a meeting on Tuesday, Planning Inspector William Carlow heard his appeal.

Mr Carlow's decision will be published in February.

Council planners originally granted temporary consent for the mobile home on the condition Mr Gillett sought permanent accommodation nearby.

There is a cottage near the kennels, owned by farmer Charles Mann, but it is not available, and Mr Gillett has had no luck with Fosseway Housing Association.

He also says the National Greyhound Racing Club stipulates there must be accommodation on site for both welfare and security reasons, and if he is forced to move he could lose his licence.

He currently looks after 48 dogs, of which he only owns eight, and races them in Swindon.

Mr Gillett said: "The rules stipulate there must be 24-hour supervision.

"I also get good owners and better dogs because they know there is someone there looking after the dogs all the time. They are more confident in you."

But CDC feared setting a dangerous precedent by allowing the couple to continue living in the mobile home.

Planning officer Lucy Wilson said: "It is desirable to have somebody there, but our case is that it is not essential, which is what our policy requires.

"The council has been very consistent in their advice that the fundamental need for an onsite development was not supported. It was deemed unnecessary."

Mr Mann, who owns the land rented by Mr Gillett, also addressed Mr Carlow at the meeting in Southrop Village Hall.

He fully supports Mr Gillett and believes the welfare of his dogs would be best served were he to be allowed to remain in his mobile home.

He said: "As a livestock farmer I know it is essential to be able to visit your animals regularly.

"I think that the problem we have got with the planning policy is that it does not reflect the needs of the agricultural community. We need to move forward."