A WYTHALL animal sanctuary has been made homeless once again after plans to move to Bromsgrove fell through.
Fur and Feathers on Houndsfield Lane found out in February the land it had rented for 14 years had been offered up for development.
After an emotional plea on social media, a generous landowner in Burcot offered their land for peppercorn rent.
It was all stations go with the last animals – Porky the pig and horses – due to be transferred to the new site and work set to start on fencing.
But the sanctuary was dealt another blow when Bromsgrove District Council informed trustees planning permission was needed for work to begin.
Lisa Hunt, Fur and Feathers’ founder and trustee, said: “We were initially told we could either pay £3,500 for pre-planning application advice or to read up on guidance available online, which we believed we had done thoroughly.
“We made modifications to our set-up to accommodate the relevant restrictions and regulations, but it would seem we weren’t correct.
“All the structures are wooden, like sheds, and we have been told even the fencing needs planning permission.
“We have done our research and spoken to architects and people with experience within the industry – we had it all planned out.
“Now we have to cancel everything and have been told any future planning applications would likely be refused.”
All cats are in foster care but temporary homes are still needed for Porky the pig and the horses.
“The sanctuary has not only saved thousands of animals over the years but was also a major hub of the community.
“We are all heartbroken.”
A Bromsgrove District Council spokesperson said: “When we were made aware the charity intended to make a new animal sanctuary on land where it would be very unlikely to be permitted, we moved fast to contact them and help them avoid inadvertently getting into legal problems further down the line.
“After a long phone call we were asked to put everything in writing, which we have done.
“We appreciate it’s not what the charity wanted to hear, and some of the advice was lengthy and technical, but it is what they needed to hear given the significant risks they would be facing if they were to proceed on that land.”
The council added it always recommended people seek professional pre-planning advice and wished the sanctuary all the best in its hunt for a new home.
Call 07786 592405 or email [email protected] to contact the charity and gofundme.com/f/fur-and-feathers-get-to-their-new-home to donate.
