Sunderland’s city centre is set to welcome a new “dog boarding hotel” after plans for the development at 8-9 Murton Street were approved by Sunderland City Council’s planning department.
Located in the Hendon ward, close to the Sunderland Software Centre, the application sought to transform the upper floor of the building from its previous gym use into a facility offering “dog boarding for day and night care”. The proposals also included external works, such as reintroducing a window to the rear of the property.
The planning application form described the venture as a “dog boarding luxury dog hotel” and outlined employment opportunities, with six full-time employees and two part-time roles proposed. After thorough assessment against planning policies, the council gave the green light to the project on December 16, 2024.
Council planners observed that the site had a history of varied uses, including a nightclub and more recently a gym, with all windows within the property having been blocked up. The new “dog boarding hotel” will cater to a maximum of 16 dogs, providing both day and night care on the first floor of the building.
An operational plan submitted alongside the application detailed that “dogs will arrive and leave on a 1-1 basis, with each owner given a pick-up and drop-off 10-minute slot between 8am-10am and 4pm-6pm”. Additional information from the applicant, included in the council decision report, indicated there would be three full-time day staff members managing the facility.
Staff will work in alternating shifts, with two full-time night staff members. Regarding parking at the front of the premises, one space would be allocated for a van to transport dogs to an outdoor walking area, leaving four spaces for staff and one for customers.
Planning documents also revealed that dogs would be exercised both indoors and outdoors, and the business would adhere to all rules and regulations surrounding animal welfare licensing. Council planners deemed the development acceptable “as part of a wider mixed-use area”, but noted concerns raised by the council’s environmental health team regarding drainage, noise, odour, and potential impacts on neighbours and the wider area.
After receiving operational details for the dog boarding development and adding planning conditions, the environmental health department did not formally object to the “24-hour kennels”.
The council decision report further stated: “The council’s environmental health team considered the additional detail that was provided and confirmed that with regard to odour this would be managed through the use of pet air purifiers as well as daily cleans of the kennels.
“The management plan also details that there will be a deep clean/fumigation once a month. In terms of noise and disturbance, the second noise assessment […] considers the installation of the new window and confirms that even with the addition of the window, break out noise from within the building would be adequately contained. The operational detail submitted […] sets out plans to reduce noise from dogs outside the facility on arrival and departure.
“Dogs will arrive one at a time within a 10-minute time slot given to the owner between the hours of 8am-10am and collected in the same way between the hours of 4pm-6pm. For walks, up to 6 dogs can be walked at the same time on a private field. They will be transported by a van with fixed cages and placed in the van one at a time. The van will be parked in the parking space provided closest to the entrance of the building.
“Furthermore, there will be three full-time members of staff on during the day and two full-time members of staff on during the night. The management plan also states that any anxious dogs that are excessively barking will be taken to the owner’s home as they hold a home boarding license for up to four dogs.”
Under planning conditions, the development must be brought forward within three years. For more information on the plan and council decision, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search reference: 23/02405/FUL.
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