A FARM could build Tendring's first pet crematorium for owners and nearby vets.

The landowner of Dickley Hall in Clacton Road, Mistley has applied to Tendring Council to build an office and put a 20ft shipping container chiller and two incinerators on the site.

A report sent to the council said the move was a bid to diversify from farming to provide an income not affected with weather.

It said: "The development objectives are to provide a secure income for the applicant.

"The farm diversification venture provides an income that is not restricted to agriculture which has become

increasingly important in light of external factors such as BREXIT.

"The applicant has identified a niche in the market for provision of pet cremation for private individuals and local

veterinary practices.

"Many local vets presently send pet animals significant distances for cremation.

"The business will operate on the basis of pets being collected from customers and bought back to Dickley Hall to

be stored in a chiller unit prior to cremation.

"The crematorium is intended to provide a sensitive and environmentally friendly means for the disposal of

deceased domestic pets only and as such is a relatively low-key operation.

"Given the delicate nature of the business operations concerned and the approach by the applicant to provide a sensitive environment for the cremation, this is not a 'high turnover' nature of operation in terms of customer throughput."

The crematorium would deal with pets up to the size of a large dog and any ashes not being picked up by owners will be sent to landfill.

The plans say there is no odour, smoke or undue noise from the incinerators, which would operate for up to four hours at a time and could potentially be at any time of the day or night.

If approved, the new business would provide three jobs.

Tendring Council has final say on the plans.