Fur flies over plans for dog hotel in posh area of London - as locals fear 'torturous' noise of howling animals would be 'unbearable' at night

By SHANNON MCGUIGAN, NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:50, 11 April 2026 | Updated: 21:50, 11 April 2026 A planning application for a dog hotel in London's glamorous Fitzrovia has caused a divide among locals, as some fear the 'torturous' noise of howling animals will become 'unbearable'. Fido's of Fitzrovia, which describes itself as a 'health and wellness centre for dogs and cats', submitted an application for a change of use of its ground floors and basement levels.  They requested that the pet wellness and grooming centre be able to use the building for 'limited overnight boarding within the basement level only', lodging no proposed changes to the exterior of the property.  And while some residents have been in support of the application, others have aired their concerns about the impact of howling animals making their nights 'unbearable'. One local described the possibility of overnight dog lodging on Great Portland Street as 'wholly unsuitable for' the residential area.  Meanwhile, another said the noise from the dogs would be 'highly disruptive, especially to those living directly above'. 'The proposed operation suggests there would be no respite from this disturbance, including during night-time hours when residents expect peace and quiet,' they added. 'This would significantly affect our ability to sleep and work from home.' Fido's of Fitzrovia (pictured) requested a change of use for 'limited overnight boarding within the basement level only' And while some residents have been in support of the application, others have aired their concerns about the impact of howling animals making their nights 'unbearable' (stock image) A third suggested there was 'insufficient' detail concerning how the animals would be exercised in the colder months, and also pointed out dog walkers and issues with dog fouling were a frequent occurence due to the nearby located Middleton Place.  'While we are not suggesting that dogs from Fido Dog Boarding would necessarily be responsible for this, we are concerned that the introduction of a larger number of animals in such close proximity may exacerbate the problem, leading to further fouling and staining of the pavement.'  They added: 'In addition, the increased number of dogs raises concerns about potential noise disturbance for residents, particularly in situations where dogs may react to or confront one another.' Another resident who claimed to have lived in the area for 25 years described the plans as 'wholly incompatible with the surrounding residential use.'  'Residents are entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their homes,' they said, while arguing that the scale and nature of the proposal would 'fundamentally and negatively alter living conditions for a large number of people'. However, Anneleen Akle, who runs Fido's, has dismissed complaints raised about the plans, maintaining the claims were 'scaremongering' from individuals who did not 'understand the business.  Saying that they did not have dogs with behavioural issues boarding overnight, she said animals who were staying would be kept in a ventilated basement where they would not be able to be heard.  She also added that any dogs staying overnight would have to undergo an assessment before being given the green light to stay.    'I'm not planning to have dogs 365 days a year, but it's a very nice service to offer,' she said. 'We have approached this planning process with full transparency and professionalism from the outset.  'We have worked closely with planning consultants, acoustic specialists, and the relevant authorities to ensure that any proposed use of the premises is appropriate, carefully managed, and fully compliant.' However, some locals are in support of the plans, with one writing: 'This is not simply a luxury but an essential part of ensuring the long-term health and happiness of dogs in our urban environment.' Another added: 'Please consider this application as an asset to pet owners who work long hours. It allows us to leave our pets in a happy place and be cared for.' The initial plans were rejected by the council last year after officers said that 'insufficient information' had been provided regarding 'noise interference'.  A second application has since been submitted on Ms Akle's behalf by representatives, maintaining locals would not be impacted by smells or noise from her business.  'The existing building structure comprises sufficient mass to control the potential paths of noise,' it said.  'This has been determined through on-site sound testing into the worst-case dwelling located directly above the application site.'  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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