Warning by residents of danger from kennel plan

Hounds from a planned hunting kennel in Shropshire will cause delays to traffic and endanger family pets, nearby residents have warned.Villagers living near the proposed site of the North Shropshire Hunt kennels in Greenfields, Ossage Lane, Whixall, are also concerned about noise and the smell from the complex.

About 70 people turned out at a public meeting called by Wem Rural Parish Council and Whixall Parish Council to discuss the plans after a formal application was submitted to North Shropshire District Council, the local planning authority.

The hunt is currently based at Lee Brockhurst, but is looking to move to Whixall because there is a risk the kennels will pollute the river at the current site.

Charles Thelwell, from Whixall, said he was concerned about children walking to school when hounds were being exercised on the roads and about people having the hounds running through their gardens.

He said: "We shouldn't have children walking or riding along the roads where hounds have fouled."

Alex Hutchinson, from Whixall, said: "There are cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, and there is a big concern the hounds would not be controlled to the extent the animals would be safe."

Duncan Ferguson, a director of the hunt, told the meeting the hounds were not excessively noisy and would be exercised on the fields before the roads, to minimise pollution on the road. He said, when they were out, they would be kept under strict control.

Residents have until July 24 to comment on the plans, which are available to view at www.northshropshiredc.gov.uk