Topic: Romney House - being forced to close by council (Read 8354 times)

Mark · « **Reply #28 on:** January 21, 2011, 09:19:21 AM »

I just hope for her sake that this is all sorted soon and the bumbling idiots at the council are named, shamed and sacked!

We have a similar issue with the council. When we moved here we applied for mixed use for the house B&B/Residential which was granted (at a cost of £400

) when I closed it down and said I wanted it to be residential only, the 'planning officer' said that I could pay the £400 fee but it was unlikely to be approved as the council strongly resisted any loss of tourist accommodation. I reminded her who is paying the mortgage but she wouldn't budge

She said however, they can't force me to take guests (I said I was aware of that and had no intention of

) and that if after 4 years, the property had only been used for residential, I was entitled to a certificate. I said that sounded the best option as apart from anything else, it would be free. She said I would still have to pay £400 for the certificate

clarenmax · « **Reply #27 on:** January 21, 2011, 09:08:53 AM »

Quote from: Mark on January 20, 2011, 18:02:56 PM

By the sounds of it, because she has been running for over 10 years, she is entitled to a certificate of lawfulness.

I think there are some caveats around this, but by and large this is correct, a certifcate of lawful use is granted on premises where a change of use was not officially sought from the outset.

Mark · « **Reply #26 on:** January 20, 2011, 18:02:56 PM »

I spoke to Silvana this morning. She is still waiting for a court date. By the sounds of it, because she has been running for over 10 years, she is entitled to a certificate of lawfulness. When a judge awards her costs, I hope whoever is responsible for all this at the council loses their job/s

The reason I phoned her is because a stray at a vet is due for PTS after testing positive for FIV. He is on a waiting list at Rhodes Minnis after Sharon called and Silvana said she will look after him in the meantime. Angela is going to take him there.

Mark · « **Reply #25 on:** December 22, 2010, 23:50:35 PM »

It's official - Vicky Halls is now the patron of Romney House rescue

I got the xmas message email. The date for the appeal is yet to be announced but Silvana is confident that all will turn out well

See updated website with comments from Vicky

http://www.romneyhousecatrescue.org.uk/

Mark · « **Reply #24 on:** December 17, 2010, 11:23:34 AM »

Quote from: Dawn F on December 17, 2010, 10:03:18 AM

ahem and why where you on the phone to silvana anyway

I was just making tentative enquiries about Tommy

She didn't think he was suitable to mix with Kylie as he is very nervous etc.

OH is still giving me the 3rd degree. Last night when I went up, I said that I couldn't bring Kylie up as she was sound asleep in her bed in the kitchen (she has about 5 beds in various rooms

) OH said "If Tommy was here, he would sleep on the bed now"

Dawn F · « **Reply #23 on:** December 17, 2010, 10:03:18 AM »

ahem and why where you on the phone to silvana anyway

Mark · « **Reply #22 on:** December 17, 2010, 07:00:30 AM »

Vicky Halls

It is so unfair. Silvana was telling me she is already fighting the authorities in Sardinia. She managed to get backing from an animal charity here to provide a spay/neuter campaign in Sardinia but the authorities there won't allow her to do it - stray cats are killed by fishermen there

Ela · « **Reply #21 on:** December 17, 2010, 06:52:55 AM »

WHO IS IT?

I think perhaps it is easy to take an educated guess. Then again I may be way off the mark.

Mark · « **Reply #20 on:** December 03, 2010, 18:41:03 PM »

No point just sending a PM as others will want to know.

VH

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #19 on:** December 03, 2010, 18:35:19 PM »

Oh, come on Mark! You just can't drop an elephant like that and expect not to have the info tortured out of you!

Send us a PM at least. Enquiring minds need to know this stuff... WHO IS IT!!

Mark · « **Reply #18 on:** December 03, 2010, 17:38:34 PM »

I spoke to Silvana this afternoon. It isn't my place to name names, but she is getting some high-profile support. I don't think she will mind me mentioning that Battersea are writing an affidavit. Also a well-known cat-person

is visiting next week to get involved and offer her support. I can't say much else - All will be revealed in time

Despite all her problems right now, Silvana, still said always to call her if we are stuck.

Mark · « **Reply #17 on:** December 02, 2010, 19:17:06 PM »

Quote from: Tiggy's Mum - Helen on December 02, 2010, 19:03:48 PM

Looks like they still have to follow the appeals procedure which will cost the charity over £4000, I've made a small donation to the fund. Hope the council will be refunding their costs but somehow doubt it

I hope a sensible magistrate will award RH costs when sanity prevails.

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2010, 19:03:48 PM »

Looks like they still have to follow the appeals procedure which will cost the charity over £4000, I've made a small donation to the fund. Hope the council will be refunding their costs but somehow doubt it

Mark · « **Reply #15 on:** December 02, 2010, 18:36:10 PM »

If you read the update, it seems the council haven't followed procedures. I hope the person/s responsible are fired and Romney House is awarded a huge payout from the council. However, being a council, all they will do is put other people's council tax up to pay for it. RH are having to spend good money that would otherwise be used to help cats to fight red tape.

Personally I think the planning officers should be put in stocks and pelted with the contents of litter trays. I for one would pay good money for the chance to have a go

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #14 on:** December 02, 2010, 17:04:15 PM »

Quote from: CatGirl on December 02, 2010, 12:41:59 PM

I've signed the petition too. Does anybody have any opinions about Foal farm?

In what way ?

CatGirl · « **Reply #13 on:** December 02, 2010, 12:41:59 PM »

I've signed the petition too. Does anybody have any opinions about Foal farm?

Steff - Petsearch Bedford HQ · « **Reply #12 on:** November 20, 2010, 17:07:03 PM »

signed and shared on my facebook

Ann Clarke (Tabby cat) · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2010, 14:54:35 PM »

Signed here too. I hope they can sort this out, the council should be ashamed of themselves

Kirst · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2010, 12:06:09 PM »

Signed!

StreetKatzRescue · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2010, 10:54:51 AM »

Signed. Really appalled and hope this can be turned around.

clarenmax · « **Reply #8 on:** November 18, 2010, 09:05:16 AM »

Just signed the petition, such a crazy situation

I hope they get this resolved and don't have to close

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2010, 08:30:41 AM »

There is a fund that has been set up .....think they are just asking for people to donate a £1 to help with the fight.
I'll try and find the link I was sent (when I get in at lunchtime)

bunglycat · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2010, 23:27:16 PM »

Also signed petition.

Tan · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2010, 23:16:17 PM »

Signed petition

Mark · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2010, 20:51:11 PM »

I found this on a funny web page - I hope it is true and also hope it hasn't been added to the total yet.

"Charity donation for Romney House Cat Rescue from Mr Robert miller Illinois United States for the donated sm of $5000 US dollars exchange rate as of 16/11/2010 1.5314 = £3202.25 STERLING"

I have added to petition section.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2010, 20:49:48 PM »

Yep she is wonderful Mark, I truly hope this doesn't go ahead

Mark · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2010, 20:41:47 PM »

That is awful

Silvana does so much for cats. A lot of the cats can't be rehomed so she lets them stay. I remember a couple of years ago, we had a call saying that unless a home was found the same day, a cat would be PTS. We had no room so I phoned around all the rescues in Kent and Silvana said no way was the cat being PTS - she said if the owner could take it there, she would find space. Bromley Council should be more like Brighton Council and give her an award - not close her down!!!!

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2010, 20:32:44 PM »

http://www.romneyhousecatrescue.org.uk/

Author Topic: Romney House - being forced to close by council (Read 8354 times)