Puppy farm owners vow to fight on

5:04pm Thursday 22nd November 2007

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GYPSIES Steven and Sally Griggs have vowed to fight the district council decision to refuse planning permission for their puppy farm for the second time.

The couple had applied for retrospective planning permission for a residential gypsy site and associated land to breed and kennel dogs at their home of Oak Tree Farm in Kington St Michael.

They had originally applied for the permission in June 2003 but were refused because of the affect on the environment and the traffic it would cause.

Last month the puppy farm was raided amid claims of neglect and the RSPCA subsequently removed 23 dogs from the site.

Mr Griggs, said: "We will fight this all the way and will put in an appeal at the earliest opportunity.

"We don't have legal aid and so this is costing us a lot of money that we just don't have.

"My wife is having to take anti-depressants because she cannot take all of this stress.

"We have had someone from every government agency come out to inspect the property and I still can't understand their problems.

"We have every right to be here."

The Griggs' argued that there was nowhere else for them to go and that they have always lived in the area.

In the application, Mrs Griggs also argues that she has a medical condition for which she needs to be in constant communication with her doctor at the Hathaway surgery.

Many people in Kington St Michael have campaigned against the plans, claiming the gypsy site is an eyesore and the noise from the dogs there is unbearable.

A spokesperson for the parish council said: "We object in the strongest possible terms to this application.

"Since the establishment of the puppy farming there have been continuous complaints as to barking and noise that is audible to the majority of residents.

"We have also received complaints from local residents that Mr Griggs has made threatening and intimidating remarks should they complain about the current planning application."

Mr Griggs is now in consultation with his planning advisor who believes they have a strong chance of winning an appeal.

The family, including the couple's daughter Lucy and her partner Lee, moved from a previous gypsy site in Christian Malford a few years ago.