Politicians reject dog center’s land zone permit after noise complaints

Politicians in Ringsted Municipality have rejected a land zone permit application from the Danish Kennel Club for a dog activity center near Haraldsted Lake, citing insufficient consideration for neighbors who have complained about noise, according to a report from DR.

The rejection came on Wednesday evening at a meeting of the municipality’s committee for Land and City, Technology and Environment, after a several-hour debate. Committee chair Klaus Hansen from Venstre said the permit was sent back to the administration with instructions to impose stricter regulation of activities on the property to take the widest possible consideration of the neighbors.

Residents living near the DKK Ringsted center, which opened in 2022, have reported persistent dog barking, loudspeaker announcements, music, and noise from machinery and parked vehicles lasting throughout the day and into the evening. Stine Andersen, a neighbor and vice chair of the association Bevar Roen, said it has become difficult to use their gardens during free time.

According to the municipality, no permits had been granted for the current level of activities, which include daily dog training and competitions. The municipality had previously ordered the Danish Kennel Club to either reduce activities or apply for a land zone permit. That application was submitted last year.

Committee member Sine Reffstrup from the Social Democrats said there was a clear imbalance between the activities the club had reported and what is actually taking place. The permit must be adjusted to take more account of residents, she said.

Danish Kennel Club director Jens Glavind expressed regret that some neighbors feel disturbed but disagreed that activities had exceeded permitted levels. He said the club is willing to cooperate with the municipality on a solution.

The administration will now rework the land zone permit to achieve a better balance between the center’s wishes and neighbor complaints. The revised permit will be sent for consultation with both the Danish Kennel Club and the neighbors before a final decision is made. Hansen said it is more important to reach the right decision than a quick one.