Select a region
The owner of a doggy daycare centre had said it is "not the end" of her business despite a planning refusal preventing her from reopening at the shelter's original St Ouen site.
Koko's Canines owner Kumiko Orlandini submitted a planning application in February 2023 for a dog shelter on existing agricultural land in Rue des Hougues, where she was already running the service.
The plans were initially approved in June 2023, despite having been recommended for refusal by the Planning Department because of the shelter's "unsustainable" location in a protected coastal area.
However, a member of the public later appealed against the decision to grant her permission to use the site and Kumiko was told that she had to cease trading, pending the outcome of the appeal.
The doggy daycare owner then had to wait months for a decision, describing the lack of updates as "upsetting and stressful".
Assistant Environment Minister, Constable Mike Jackson, has now decided to allow the appeal and refused planning permission.
Constable Jackson said: “The independent planning inspector’s report gives a thorough and professional assessment of all the complex issues that this case raises, and I have accepted the inspector’s recommendations to refuse planning permission."
He continued: “I recognise and apologise that the appeal remained pending for a significant time, reflecting the difficulty of this decision.
"It is often very challenging to achieve a balance that would suit all and this is an example of where whichever decision was taken, it would still lead to a significant degree of upset with either the applicant or the appellant."
Constable Jackson added: “Ultimately, it is important that we comply with the Island Plan which has strong protectionist policies to prevent harm to landscape character and loss of agricultural land.”
In a post on her business's Facebook page, Kumiko said she had "come to terms" with the decision.
She wrote: "After a long six-month wait, we've received the news that inspector/minister have decided to pass the appeal, preventing us from reopening at our original site."
Kumiko added: "This setback is just a chapter in our story, not the end. Kokos Canines is here to stay, and we're committed to growing and thriving.
"Everything happens for a reason, and sometimes what seems like a setback is actually a step in the right direction."
She wrote: "I'm determined to create a nurturing environment for our team and dogs, one that supports positivity and growth. I am so lucky to have an amazing team who are an extended family and also amazing dogs.
Kumiko added: "Life has a way of guiding us toward our true path, and I trust that we'll find our way.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported me along this journey.
"Your encouragement means the world to me and I couldn’t have held it together without you all."
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.