Pembrokeshire planners have turned down a proposal for a dog day care centre on the grounds of a former garden centre, citing concerns over the potential impact on local badgers. Ryan Ennis had put forward plans to Pembrokeshire Council for the establishment of the centre and related works on land that is currently home to polytunnels next to Tenby Tourers, just off the A477 at Llanteg. A supporting document from Gerald Blain Associates Limited highlighted that the polytunnels were remnants of a previous garden centre that used to span the site; one remaining polytunnel is presently utilised for casual storage. The document detailed: “Operationally, the centre will accommodate a maximum of 10 dogs, operating from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Drop-off times will typically be between 8.30 and 9am, with pick-up between 5 and 5.30pm.” For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Plans for the site included eight parking and drop-off spaces, with three bays specifically designed to give extra space for dogs to get in and out of vehicles, as well as a play area made from pet-friendly artificial grass surrounded by a timber fence. Furthermore, it stated: “The proposed building would replace two large poly tunnels that are individually of comparable length to the proposed building. “The building would be erected in place of the southernmost tunnel and the play area constructed on the site of the second tunnel. “The existing poly tunnels are not visually pleasing and detract from the character of the site. To minimise the visual impact of the development, extensive landscaping is proposed around the development site and at the boundary with the A477.” The statement continued: “The proposal would create employment for two staff members, including the applicant’s daughter, and generate positive economic impacts through the purchase of materials and the employment of labour during construction. “Once operational, the business would continue to contribute to the local economy through ongoing employment.” Amroth Community Council has raised objections to the proposed scheme citing concerns such as potential noise disturbances from dogs agitated by passers-by on a nearby public path, and issues surrounding biodiversity conservation. The council’s objection noted: “We have been made aware of a registered badger sett located within or very close to the minimum requisite 50m from the development. “Badgers are a protected species and the sett distance from dog kennels, dog play areas etc is based on legislation laid out in the Protection of Badgers Act, 1992 by the UK Government. Councillors noticed that the application does not reference the sett.” The application was refused by county planners for several key reasons, including “no robust justification for the essential need for the proposed development in this countryside location”. There were also concerns that “the application fails to demonstrate that the proposal would not result in a detrimental impact on highway safety,” and a worry that it “fails to provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the proposed development would not have a significant detrimental impact on biodiversity, in particular to badger setts”.