A SMALL family-owned business in Clackmannanshire has been given the green light to expand after the council lost original planning papers during the pandemic. 

Last Thursday, the council's Planning Committee gave permission for the business to continue building and operating dog breeding kennels and a canine therapy centre, alongside glamping pods, and caravan parking sites.

Thomas Carruthers applied for permission to build a set of kennels for dog breeding, site four glamping pods on his family’s property, and create five parking bays for camper vans. 

The family already operate the Devon River Riding Centre at Howtoun, Fishcross.

A few years ago they decided they wanted to expand their business into other areas as well, on site.

However, they had already partly constructed the timber clad kennel building, and two of the glamping pods had already been installed before formal planning permission was granted. 

They claimed that the council lost the original planning application that they submitted, causing massive delays and prompting them to start construction without permission. 

The planning report to committee confirmed that the original planning application had been lost during lockdown. 

A report to the committee said: “The landowner advised that a paper copy of the application had been handed in at the offices at Kilncraigs during the period when it was closed and staff were working from home.

"The service was unable to locate the documents at that time despite extensive searches and enquiries being made.”

A formal application was once again put forward by the Carruthers after the planning authority was called to investigate the unauthorised building activity. 

Planning officers recommended the application for approval, and councillors ultimately heeded their advice. 

Cllr Donald Balsillie said: “In general, I don’t like retrospective planning applications, but I am supportive of this application. I think this site is beneficial to Clacks.” 

There were no major concerns regarding the development and it was ultimately approved by unanimous consent. 

The application only had one registered objection from a neighbour, and the committee's concerns over caravan waste disposal were addressed as part of a planning condition.