Vet practice is a site for sore cries

Published: 10 September, 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB

A VET has won the battle to open a practice on a former Clerkenwell bomb site, despite fears from residents that the animals he treats will make too much noise.

Councillors at Monday’s planning meeting at Islington Town Hall agreed to a change of use for 15 Clerkenwell Road – which has never been used – so it can be turned into a veterinary practice.

A total of nine residents wrote letters of objection, voicing fears over noise, odour and nusiance from animals, as well as worries about what will happen with the disposal of dead animals. 

There were also suggestions that the 24-hour emergency service should be reduced.

Some animals will remain in the premises overnight, supervised by a member of staff.

But no residents turned up to Monday’s meeting to object in person and the committee was told applicant Mar Lindfield was in discussions with neighbours.

Up to eight staff will work at the surgery, which has permission to open from 8.30am-7.30pm Monday to Saturday and 9am-1pm on Sundays.

The site is part of a development constructed in recent years on bomb-damaged land left vacant for decades.

Committee chairman Labour councillor Joe Caluori, who undertook a site visit along with Lib Dem Cllr George Allan, said: “I was satisfied that the issues of noise and smell had been dealt with by the applicant.”

The committee decided to grant the application subject to conditions recommended by officers.