Plans for proposed new cattery at Rodney Stoke, near Cheddar

Plans for “luxury, purpose-built” cattery in Somerset revealed

Paul JonesSeptember 2, 20250 Comment0

PLANS have been submitted for new, luxury accommodation near Cheddar – for cats.

The Furlong Nursery, in Hill Lane, has applied to Somerset Council for permission to build a new “luxury, purpose-built cattery” as an extension to the current business, at Rodney Stoke.

Furlong already has nursery facilities for cats and dogs – and is now seeking permission to increase capacity at the five-star feline facility, with an extra 10 pens outlined in a new building.

“The cattery will be constructed on the site of an already demolished polytunnel as part of an ongoing process of demolition,” the application said.

It added how the new structure would be built by a modular design, with materials ensuring “ease of cleaning and sanitisation”, primarily using “PVCu framed panels for the walls with toughened safety glass”, with each pen fitted with Pawsafe safety mesh.

“All heating will be with digitally, thermostatically controlled heaters, each pen to be independently controlled to ensure the efficient use of energy dependant on the number of residents,” the plans added.

“All lighting will be kept to a minimum, with energy efficient units.

“Predominantly the sleeping areas only be lit to ensure the minimum amount of light pollution, furthermore there will be no exterior lighting.”

The application said use of the units would be seasonal, “generally used during the summer months which will require very little lighting due to the length of days”.

Pens would also be fitted with individual, thermostatically-controlled extractor fans.

“The whole site is surrounded by mature hedging and so it will not be possible to be seen from outside the site,” the plans added.

“There will be no changes to the existing site access and there is ample parking for at least eight cars.”

Collections and drop-off times will be restricted to between 8am and 10am, and from 4pm to 6pm.

The plans will now be considered by Somerset Council. For more details, and to comment, visit somerset.gov.uk and search application reference 2025/1481/FUL.