THE barking and howling of Great Danes from a breeding kennels would cause a nuisance to neighbours if a small barn is converted into a three bedroom house, say Rossendale environmental health officers.

The engineering and planning committee will be advised on Monday to approve plans to convert Bull Hall Barn, Todmorden Road, Bacup.

They will be told that although premises at Bull Hall are registered as a dog breeding and boarding establishment they do not have proper planning permission.

Councillors will be told that because of the unlawful nature of the kennels outside the residential garden the issue of compatibility must weigh in favour of residential conversion of the barn.

Environmental health officers say noise levels have been monitored and prohibited normal conversation.

If the occupants of the proposed new house complain, subsequent enforcement action could result in the closure of the kennels.

Four local residents have objected to the barn conversion.

Legal advice to the committee is that the dog keeping and breeding is taking place outside the residential curtilage and so needs planning consent.