A family has submitted plans to build a cattery in their garden for more than a dozen cats in a bid to help pet owners in their neighbourhood.

Dean and Jordan Osborne have put forward an application to Medway Council to convert their garden in Kingsnorth Road, Gillingham into a kitty hotel called Felines Rest.

If approved, the 38 sq m retreat would be home to a maximum of 14 cats at any one time.

Mrs Osborne believes she and her husband’s boarding hotel can help cat owners in Gillingham by finding a gap in the market across the area.

“I am a big cat person,” she explained. “My nan and grandad used to foster cats and I spent a lot of my childhood at theirs in the holidays helping to look after them.

“We have two cats ourselves and have always struggled to get them into a cattery as there are not a lot in the area.

“I was looking for something that I can do from home and around the kids being at school, as finding part-time work around school hours is very difficult. It would be amazing.

“I know some people are having to book a year in advance for places and are travelling out of the area to find a cattery.

“So having one in the area would definitely benefit a lot of people.

“It will give the community a local solution to housing their beloved cats whilst they are away from home.

"Our cattery will operate with transparency, professionalism and a genuine passion for the wellbeing for all of the feline residents."

Each cat, or cats if they are from the same household, would have a separate pen.

‘I know some people are having to book a year in advance for places and are travelling out of the area to find a cattery...’

Bedding and toys would also be provided for comfort and mental stimulation, as the pair plan "to provide a caring and comfortable environment" for the felines in their care.

Daily health checks will be carried out to monitor each cat's health through visual and physical interactions.

As well as having access to an enclosed outdoor area for play and exercise, the cats will be given interactive play sessions – with toys provided – plus grooming if their owners wish.

The application also states the couple would provide a pick-up and drop-off service for customers.

Pre-application advice already given by planning officers added: "In principle, no objection is raised to the change of use.

"Subject to materials proposed, it is not considered the buildings would be out of character within a residential area.

"Subject to further information regarding waste and noise management, it is not considered the proposal would cause detrimental harm to occupants or neighbouring amenity.

"It is [also] not considered the use would result in a detrimental impact to highways' function or safety. Therefore officers would invite a planning application."

You can view the application here, searching for the reference MC/23/2674.

A decision is expected by January 29 next year.