A CHILDREN’S charity that was forced to move from Thornbury to Littleton has been told again that it needs to find a new home.

Incredible Kids, which supports families of children with disabilities or life limiting conditions across South Gloucestershire, had to move last summer after it learned its temporary site in the former South Gloucestershire Council offices in Thornbury would be demolished to make way for retirement homes.

Hearing of the charity’s situation, Charlie Tull, managing director of Whale Wharf near Littleton-upon-Severn, offered to house the charity in the disused business park rent-free while they continue to look for a more permanent alternative.

But now planning enforcement officers from South Gloucestershire Council have told the charity they need to vacate the site, due to the flood risk it poses, adding that the landowner failed to follow planning procedure and demonstrate acceptable safety measures had been taken.

A 12-week grace period has been given while the charity looks for somewhere new.

Cllr Colin Hunt, South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet member for planning, transportation and the strategic environment said the council has “a duty to ensure safety” and considering the heightened risk to the vulnerable children supported by the charity, they had made it clear Mr Tull was required to take a series of steps to allow the charity use of the site.

Among these steps was the requirement to submit an application for change of use, as well as granting the council access to assess the effectiveness of fire and flood evacuation procedures.

Cllr Hunt said: “We made it clear that if they were not provided, we would have to take enforcement action to ensure compliance with the law and people’s safety.

“We have not been provided with that planning application, despite repeated assurance that we would and so last month we advised the landowner that we will be forced to act.”

The trustees of Incredible Kids said: “This news has come as a huge blow, but we are desperate to find a new venue which could host our play and support sessions which help families with a child with a disability or additional need with the aim of reducing inequality and social isolation”.

Mr Tull said he felt he had been forced into a position where he could no longer support this charity, describing the situation as “very sad” and “unreasonable”. He said: “At this late stage, I’d call on South Gloucestershire councillors to step in and find a common sense way forward.

“I find it absolutely staggering that the council who have fiercely resisted all attempts to bring this vacant site back into use for the last 15 years have now acted in a way which prevents a children’s charity from using the space and could even force their closure.”

Cllr Hunt responded: “We have been keen to exercise discretion in this case, given the valued work of Incredible Kids in supporting vulnerable young people. However, we have a legal duty to ensure land is used appropriately and that plans are in place to keep people safe.

“The council is very supportive of the work Incredible Kids do. We gave them use of our old offices in Thornbury before it was demolished and have provided help in identifying a number of alternative sites they might pursue in order to secure a permanent home.”

Mr Tull said that previous planning permission had been granted on the site for a 450-bed residential children’s activity school, but the council responded saying that the application was subject to a series of strict conditions, which would not cover the use of the site by the charity.

An application has now been submitted for a change of use, but the council again say it is insufficient as it makes no mention of Incredible Kids and, if granted, would not encompass their use.