A WOMAN wants to set up a grooming salon for dogs in a cabin to be constructed in her back garden.

The shed-like structure could become the perfect chill-out zone for canines needing time out from chasing sticks and waiting for walkies.

But some of the human residents in Platts Lane, Hampstead, fear their own attempts to beat the “stresses of everyday life” at home will be wrecked by the constant sound of barking dogs if the business opens next door.

Architects for Elizabeth Shorts, who runs an established dog-grooming business nearby, have now moved to try and reassure neighbours by insisting that the dogs in for a brush and a haircut will be so relaxed that the neighbours won’t hear any howling.

The plans for the salon, revealed this week on Camden Council’s website, show the dimensions for the grooming shed, which could cater for up to three dogs a day.

Ms Shorts’s architects said that peace in the back gardens in the road were already disturbed by traffic noise emanating from the nearby Finchley Road.

But they also added: “The dog grooming process would include brushing, washing, drying and hair cutting, all of which are activities which many dog owners choose to undertake themselves in their own homes. 

“The applicant’s experience shows that the dogs enjoy the grooming process and neighbours would not therefore be disturbed by barking of distressed dogs.” Some of the neighbours, however, have been startled by the idea of the business being run on the other side of their garden fence.

In letters to the Town Hall, one resident politely wrote they did not want to prevent Ms Shorts from starting up a new business, but said: “The grooming shed will be up against our and other people living here’s property. There will be possible noise from dogs and machinery used to groom the dogs. Furthermore the shed will not be sound­proofed and I imagine the doors will be open in the summer.”

The objection added: “Dog noise can be extremely intrusive. And, as the site of the grooming shed is not an industrial estate – rather a residential area – I imagine possible noise will annoy residents close by.”

Nancy Mayo, secretary of the Redington Frognal Association, said: “The business is entirely unsuited for a quiet conservation area, where gardens provide relief from the stress and strains of everyday life.”

Ms Shorts, who supports the All Dogs Matter charity and has a well established client base, must now wait to see whether the council will grant planning consent. 

Her architects insist there will be no nuisance to neighbours, adding: “Customers who do wish to drop their dogs off would have access to the new premises via the side access gate and the occupants of the existing building would not therefore be distur­bance.”