AN ANIMAL sanctuary supported by Dirty Sanchez TV star Matt Pritchard can continue hosting open days despite objections from some neighbours.

The Dean Farm Animal Sanctuary near Chepstow provides a “home for life” for some 200 unwanted, abused and neglected farmyard animals from cows, donkeys and pigs to hens and rabbits.

It has been running for the past six years and skateboarder Pritchard, who starred in the MTV stunt show Dirty Sanchez as well as hosting his own Dirty Vegan cookery show on BBC Wales, is its patron.

But some neighbours of the site, between Mounton and Shirenewton, have been less impressed, with Mathern Community Council objecting to its planning application to formalise the change of use from agricultural land.

The application, which also included a request for permission for a touring caravan to provide overnight accommodation for staff and volunteers during veterinary emergencies, was brought before Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee at the request of Shirenewton councillor Louise Brown.

The Conservative member told the planning committee: “The problem with this animal sanctuary is simply where it is located, off a narrow, rural road.”

She said a withdrawn application, by the sanctuary, had sought permission for a larger attraction and said there was concern at the impact on the road due to the open days hosted there.

“Local residents are extremely concerned about the highway situation because coaches have blocked the road for 20 minutes, getting in and out of the access, and local farmers have had to reverse their tractors and trailers when traffic comes along the road.”

But planning officer Amy Longford said the council’s highways department had no objection to the application, although it had requested open days are limited to 16 a year.

In addition to public open days the centre also hosts ‘VIP events’ for supporters but Ms Longford said those were considered outside of the open days as numbers attending are managed by the centre.

The committee was told the centre employs seven staff and is supported by some 30 volunteers and the open days are crucial for fundraising as the sanctuary is entirely reliant on donations.

The application was approved, with the number of open days to be determined by the council’s delegation panel, after committee members raised concerns at how often the centre would be open to the public.

Founded by Mary and Janette Fry, Dean Farm Trust started rescuing animals in 2013 and opened its sanctuary in December 2016.

It has been named the nation’s favourite animal sanctuary in the VegFestUK Awards.

And in 2020, its patron Pritchard rowed the Atlantic as part of a four-man crew to help raise funds to support its work.