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Dog lover fears being hounded out of business
A DOG lover fears he could be forced to shut down a makeshift café he runs to raise money for charity.
Derek Hepple raises about 250 a week by selling tea, coffee and scones from two caravans parked outside his home in Marine View, Seaton Sluice.
Every Sunday between 7.30am and 5pm, the 68-year-old and his wife Sandra cater for hundreds of people to raise cash for Bedlington-based dog rescue charity SHAK (Safe Homes and Kindness).
But Derek now fears his fundraising venture is at risk after he was told to submit a planning application to Northumberland County Council for use of his driveway as a business, even though all the money he makes goes straight to charity.
It has also been suggested he should limit the caf's opening times to 10.30am until 3pm every other Sunday.
SHAK, run by Stephen Wylie, from Bedlington, rescues and cares for large dogs that would otherwise be put down.
Derek, a former police officer, said: "I am very upset and very worried they could close me down.
"I promised Stephen I would raise 1,000 a month for SHAK which has gone on to get more and more dogs in because of that.
"Without the money from the cafe the dogs will get put to sleep.
"The dogs can not be rehomed under any circumstances."
Derek also says he has been the subject of a number of complaints from one local resident since starting his fundraising cafe five years ago.
However, the dog lover claims he is supported by the vast majority of his neighbours who enjoy coming to the cafe for a cuppa and a chat.
Jennie Adamson, south area development manager with the council, said: "The charity fundraising activities carried out at Marine View, based on their scale, were found not to be ancillary or incidental and impaired the amenity of the neighbours and visual look of the street.
"Mr Hepple has not been precluded from his charitable activities at this time and has been invited to regularise the situation by means of a formal planning application.
"Consideration could then be given to the appropriate level of activity to be undertaken from the dwelling.
"We hope that we can work with the house owner to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
"The Council acknowledges that many charities are supported by members of the public and that they rely on their fundraising efforts, however, we have a duty to enforce planning controls to protect everyone."
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Weather for Blyth
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -4 C to 6 C
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