Anger over cattery

Sylvia Harrison, of Marine Drive, asked Lewes District Council for planning permission to build two more cat 'chalets' in her back garden, bringing the total to eight.

But some neighbours complained saying it would mean more noise from cats crying in the night and cause traffic congestion. They also claimed foxes were attracted by the cats' food and called in environmental health officers twice.

However, 21 letters in support of the bid were received by the council and just four against.

Objector Geoff King, who lives next door to the cattery, said the bid's backers were mainly its customers. He also claimed he had suffered damage to his car after a minor road accident with a visitor to the cattery. He added: 'They just park their cats and go they don't suffer.'

At a district council planning meeting last week, Mrs Harrison told councillors the majority of her neighbours had no problem with the cattery.

'It isn't noisy and does not smell. I would not want to live there if it did.'

Cllr Gilly Cowdry backed the bid. She said when it was first proposed two years ago people had raised concerns. But since it had been up and running none of their fears had been realised.

And inspectors had found no cause for concern when they visited.

Cllr Cowdrey said: 'The environmental health department found nothing wrong. Each time they found a very high standard of cleanliness.'