‘Dated’ Huyton Dogs Trust centre set for overhaul

More than 13,000 sq ft of existing floorspace would be lost and replaced with updated facilities under new proposals for the six-acre site off Whiston Lane.

Dogs Trust has lodged plans with Knowsley Council for the full redevelopment of its Merseyside rehoming centre. The Huyton facility dates back to 1999 and is characterised by “dated kennels and tired facilities”, according to a planning statement.

Powell Dobson Architects has drawn up the plans for the scheme on behalf of the charity. The project would see the demolition of the existing parasol and line block kennels, training barn, and puppy block to deliver improvements.

Proposals feature a 5,800 sq ft rehoming building, where visitors can view and interact with dogs, and a 4,600 sq ft intake building. The intake building is the first port of call when dogs enter the centre and includes spaces for initial behaviour and health assessments.

There would also be a replacement 2,200 sq ft training barn created, as well as two kennel blocks.

The reception building on site would be retained and extended to make space for a new vets and puppy suite.

While the existing visitor car park would be reduced to provide 37 car parking spaces as opposed to 43, a second car park would be delivered at the centre of the site to provide 17 car parking spaces for staff use.

Once complete, the rehoming centre would provide a total of 52 kennels. This figure marks a reduction of 15 kennel spaces, with a higher emphasis on the quality of facilities and care.

Dogs Trust operates a total of 22 rehoming centres across the UK and Ireland, with facilities also in Denton and Cumbria.

Montagu Evans is the planning consultant for the scheme. The project team also includes Landscape, DTA Transportation, Kendall Group, Nolan Associates, and Brewood Landscapes.

Want to learn more about the project? Search for application number 23/02351/FUL on Knowsley Council’s planning portal.