A pet crematorium in Co Tyrone has been given the go-ahead despite 60 letters of objection to the proposal.
The planning application, submitted to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in July last year, sought to change the use of a building in Clanabogan in Omagh from a welder’s workshop to a pet crematorium.
The crematorium was approved by Fermanagh and Omagh’s planning committee and will come before full council for ratification on October 1.
Among the concerns raised by people living close to the crematorium were: the release of strong odour, emission of pollutants, noise disturbance, the distress of seeing and smelling dead animals and potential public health risk.
Ratepayer Brendan Johns urged council to give significant weight to the level of opposition.
He said if it went ahead, the crematorium could impact on property prices in the area.
Sinn Féin councillor, Barry McElduff, voiced concern about issues including odour, pollutants, noise and traffic, and the potential devaluation of homes.
Applicant Paul Kelly said he was willing to meet any objectors.
He added losing a pet could be a very “distressing and traumatic time” and he wanted to provide a “professional service for small pets only”.
Mr Kelly said the crematorium would be “completely out of view of all neighbours”.
The application received one letter of support from a member of the public who described it as being “beneficial to pet owners”.
It was also deemed planning compliant by Department for Infrastructure, NI Environment Agency, Environmental Health and NI Water.
