'We are stuck': Council legal threat leaves hedgehog rescue centre facing uncertain future

A wildlife rescue organisation that cares for hundreds of vulnerable animals fears it could be forced out of its town centre home following a legal dispute with the local authority.

Castleford Hedgehog Rescue, based on Sagar Street, has been issued with a formal warning by Wakefield Council instructing it to immediately cease using its rear exit and clear three commercial waste bins from a council-run car park within 14 days.

Co-founder Beth Campsill said the charity, which only relocated to the rented premises in May, has made no alterations to the building and now worries the dispute could escalate into court proceedings and financial ruin.

The letter from the authority's chief legal officer, dated October 23, asserts that the back entrance to the Aire Street car park constitutes an unauthorised "new point of access" lacking Building Control clearance, and that the rescue's bins are encroaching on council property.

Beth said moving the bins to the front of the premises is impossible because they would obstruct the public footpath along Sagar Street.

She added: "No other shops have got their bins on the street. Our bins don't affect any of the parking at all.

"We have asked the council where they would like us to put the bins and they just ignore our e-mails. We just get an automated response every time.

"I have no idea what we are going to do. We are a bit stuck.

"It has made me feel stressed. I've got a constant headache. I can't sleep and feel sick.

"They have said they will take further action. We are fearing they will take us to court and we could get fined and lose the money that people have donated and then lose this place and the hedgehogs will suffer."

The council's letter states: "I have been informed by the council's parking services manager that your organisation is occupying and taking over access land owned by the council, namely Aire Street Car Park.

"The council has not given you permission to occupy this land."

The warning makes clear that the local authority will consider further action should the three commercial bins remain after the 14-day deadline.

Joe Jenkinson, service director for Planning, Transport and Strategic Highways at Wakefield Council, said: "Castleford Hedgehog Rescue does vital work looking after vulnerable animals. We know they are an important part of our community.

"We’ve been in touch with them about unauthorised changes they’ve made. These changes have created additional safety risks to people using the adjacent car park.

"As residents expect, we are very clear that organisations need to get permission from the council - if they want to make changes to how they access public land. We act fairly and consistently with all charities and businesses."

The rescue operation began roughly 15 years ago when Beth's mother, Jillian, began sheltering hedgehogs in a garden shed at her home in Smawthorne. As demand grew, the charity relocated to the shop premises earlier this year.

Run entirely on public donations and volunteer effort, the centre is currently housing 159 sick and injured animals, frequently treated for garden strimmer wounds and dog bites. Across the summer months, numbers rise to as many as 500 hedgehogs a day, supported by 26 incubators.

Beth balances her role by working four night shifts a week at Asda in Glasshoughton while devoting more than 40 hours weekly to the rescue, alongside her mother, who works as a care worker.