A COUNTY business has hit back at objections raised to its proposal to open Hereford’s first dog daycare centre on a city industrial estate.

Helen and Matt Robson set up K9 Cares in 2011 as a dog walking service but began providing dog daycare and home-boarding at their residential home in 2013 – fully licensed and insured to accommodate 20 dogs per day and six overnight.

The business is now seeking permission to change the use of an industrial unit on Barrs Court works, on Rockfield Road, to open a daycare centre there.

If approved, the 3,200-sq-ft unit of floor space would provide a reception area with a small retail stand, a comfy area for dogs to rest and a segregation room for young and older dogs.

But objection letters listed on Herefordshire Council’s website from surrounding businesses include concerns about extra traffic, inadequate room on paths to walk the dogs, lack of outdoor space as well as noise and smells.

Responding to the Hereford Times this week, the business said an industrial unit away from a densely populated area had been sought.

The company said, in a statement: "Rockfield Road is an ideal location for us and our customers.

"The landlord has been nothing but excited and enthusiastic to have us as tenants and is eager to help out in any way they can.”

It added that parking on the estate for K9 Cares would be at the side of a building, without infringing on other business access or parking, while dogs would be walked in pairs along a private road.