A COUPLE have been ordered to close their kennel business because they have neither planning permission nor licences to look after dogs there.

Chris and Susan Taylor opened their boarding kennels at Braeside Farm, in Ferry Road, Hullbridge, last November without planning permission.

They say they had little choice after being given a month’s notice to quit their previous Benfleet kennels after the site was sold.

The couple then applied for planning permission and a licence to run a dog boarding business on the Hullbridge site.

Their applications were turned down by Rochford District Council, on the grounds noisy dogs in the kennels would disturb neighbours, including pupils at the nearby Riverside Primary School.

Mr Taylor, 53, says the decision is a bitter blow for him and his wife, 49.

He said: “We have nowhere else to turn and nowhere else to go.

“Our livelihood is at stake. If we close, we will have to sign on for benefits, and neither of us wants that.”

The Taylors have been told to close the business by September 12 or face legal action.

Richard Evans, the council’s head of environmental services, said: “Following complaints of noise nuisance, a letter has been sent, confirming the owners had told the council they would no longer be operating their business from September 12.

“The council will be conducting another visit to ensure this was the case and any offences would be considered with a view to instigating legal proceedings.”

However, Mr Taylor urged the council “to show some common sense”.

He said: “We are not creating any problems. We can take as many as 24 dogs, but we never run at full capacity. The dogs are very quiet at night and only make some noise during the day.”

Mrs Taylor, who has been in the dog kennelling business for 35 years, added: “We would be more than happy to work with the council to make changes and bring the kennels in line with current legislation, but the council has just refused to help.”