A NEW dog and cat daycare, grooming and training facility is planned at Haigslea.

A development application has been lodged with the Ipswich City Council for a material change of use over the property at 112 Claus Road.

The proposal, prepared by town planning agents for landowner Rosa Silvestro, seeks approval to repurpose part of the rural property for an ‘animal keeping’ business, offering daily care, grooming services and personalised training for pets.

The 8,750sqm site is zoned rural and sits within a broader area characterised by low-density rural residential properties.

The proposed facility aims to accommodate between 10 to 50 animals daily, with services designed to provide a “nurturing environment” and a “harmonious bond between pets and their human companions.”

Key features of the development include a demountable office and grooming building, indoor pens and runs located in an existing shed, a new on-site sewerage treatment system (separate from the house), eight car parking spaces including two accessible bays, separate driveways for residential and business use, and deep planting buffers on the eastern and southern boundaries.

Supporting documentation includes an Operations Management Plan, architectural designs, a soil and effluent evaluation, and code compliance statements. The report states that the development would be low-impact and compatible with the rural character of the area.

The site falls under several overlays – including flood mapping, water resource catchment, and airspace height restrictions due to proximity to RAAF Base Amberley.

Assessment of the application is code-assessable under the Ipswich Planning Scheme, with the planning consultant arguing the proposal aligned with the intent of the rural zone by supporting residents and offering a service that complements surrounding land uses.

Council planners will assess the application.