Plans for a new £5 million Birmingham Dogs’ Home have been given the green light by planners.
The new purpose-built dog rescue and welfare centre is to move from Birmingham city centre to Solihull – the first time it has moved from the city in 25 years.
The new facility, given the green light by Solihull Council, will be on land off Catherine-de-Barnes Lane, and will accommodate approximately 150 lost and abandoned dogs, as well as providing much needed external space for exercise.
Simon Price, general manager of Birmingham Dogs’ Home, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support that has been given to our proposals by the planning officers at Solihull Council as well as by the wider community.
“Moving to a new site will be a very significant step for Birmingham Dogs’ Home and the new facilities will greatly improve the quality of life for dogs in our care.”
The number of dogs collected by local authorities has increased since 2008, placing a greater demand on Birmingham Dogs’ Home, which has been caring for stray dogs since 1892.
The charity has two centres in the West Midlands, Birmingham and Sunnyside near Wolverhampton and it currently cares for around 4,500 dogs per year.
The Birmingham centre, based in a three storey building on New Bartholomew Street, Digbeth, needs to relocate due to inadequate facilities and a lack of external space for exercise and training.
New, state-of-the-art facilities will include kennel and exercise areas, veterinary facilities and a behavioural suite. Brooke Smith Planning advised on the scheme, which has been drawn up by Associated Architects.
Associated Architects director Matthew Goer said: “We are sure that it will have a hugely positive impact on the ongoing work of the charity.”
It is anticipated that the development will take around one year to build, with work starting in early 2014 and the facility opening in early 2015.
