We are pleased to announce that planning permission has been granted for the development of 12 new kennels at The Dog & Cat Shelter in Benton.

This marks a major milestone for the charity, which has been working to expand its facilities following the recent closure of its Claremont Road site. Helm is proud to have supported the project entirely on a pro-bono basis, helping to ensure the shelter can continue its vital work in the region.

The new kennels will provide increased capacity and improved facilities for the care of rescued dogs, allowing the charity to meet growing demand and continue offering a safe and supportive environment for animals in need.

This project also represents a significant achievement for Esther McHugh, who led the work as her first project with Helm. Esther used Helm’s strong local network and her own initiative to guide the scheme through the planning process to a successful outcome.

“The Shelter have been so lovely to work with—kind, supportive, and really understanding of this additional workload on busy consultants, especially as it’s all been done on a pro-bono basis.” Esther McHugh, Project Co-ordinator at Helm

This project is a fantastic example of how small contributions from our industry can create real, lasting impact. By offering our time and expertise pro-bono, we have helped enable a much-needed development for a long-standing local charity with deep community roots.

We are incredibly proud of Esther and everyone involved in making this happen. We look forward to seeing the kennels take shape and continuing to support projects that make a meaningful difference in our communities.