My ex batts were blacktails and were fine. As I said, never really any noise. If you are only getting a couple I'm sure most neighbours would not even know there were there. Only those who could maybe see them over the fence.
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Anonymous
Guest
Hi Donna,
Chooks are quiet,the only noise they make is when they lay an egg,and not all do that.Like Snifter said,I doubt any of your neighbours will realise you've got chooks.
Personally,I'm not even sure that I would tell any of your neighbours that you're getting any when you do get some.Good luck,we're all rooting for you.
Chooks are quiet,the only noise they make is when they lay an egg,and not all do that.Like Snifter said,I doubt any of your neighbours will realise you've got chooks.
Personally,I'm not even sure that I would tell any of your neighbours that you're getting any when you do get some.Good luck,we're all rooting for you.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Well got my reply from Gentoo:
"I refer to previous correspondence in this matter and in particular to the Group's letter to you of 20 January 2010
Your application has now been fully considered by officers from Gentoo Sunderland Limited and unfortunately approval cannot be given to your request to keep chickens at the above property
Whilst I appreciate you have made appropriate enquiries of Sunderland City Council and there appears to be no issues in planning and building regulation terms to your proposal nevertheless Gentoo Sunderland Limited must act as a responsible landlord to its tenants and to adjoining property owners to ensure that the covenants and conditions under the properties are held are properly observed and performed and has taken the view that your proposal would not be suitable in a residential environment
I would like to thank you for the correct manner in which you have made your application and the courteous way in which you have dealt with this matter throughout,
Your sincerely
...
for Group Solicitor"
so... dunno where I stand now, this is obviously from a legal department of some sort. I don't want to go ahead and get chickens anyway (thats not the kind of person that I am - you've probably guessed that by now!) cos they'll probably take legal action against me and like I said I don't have the money to get a solicitor of my own to get advice first etc etc...
Me thinks thats the end of the line as far as keeping chickens are concerned. My hubby doesn't understand how upset I am about this whole matter. I've told him I don't wanna leave where we are anymore, and its a lovely area. I just wanna get as far away from Gentoo as possible. I feel sick with the thought of those a*******s deciding a matter like this without even giving me a chance.
Thank you for your support but me thinks thats it now.
Donna.
"I refer to previous correspondence in this matter and in particular to the Group's letter to you of 20 January 2010
Your application has now been fully considered by officers from Gentoo Sunderland Limited and unfortunately approval cannot be given to your request to keep chickens at the above property
Whilst I appreciate you have made appropriate enquiries of Sunderland City Council and there appears to be no issues in planning and building regulation terms to your proposal nevertheless Gentoo Sunderland Limited must act as a responsible landlord to its tenants and to adjoining property owners to ensure that the covenants and conditions under the properties are held are properly observed and performed and has taken the view that your proposal would not be suitable in a residential environment
I would like to thank you for the correct manner in which you have made your application and the courteous way in which you have dealt with this matter throughout,
Your sincerely
...
for Group Solicitor"
so... dunno where I stand now, this is obviously from a legal department of some sort. I don't want to go ahead and get chickens anyway (thats not the kind of person that I am - you've probably guessed that by now!) cos they'll probably take legal action against me and like I said I don't have the money to get a solicitor of my own to get advice first etc etc...
Me thinks thats the end of the line as far as keeping chickens are concerned. My hubby doesn't understand how upset I am about this whole matter. I've told him I don't wanna leave where we are anymore, and its a lovely area. I just wanna get as far away from Gentoo as possible. I feel sick with the thought of those a*******s deciding a matter like this without even giving me a chance.
Thank you for your support but me thinks thats it now.
Donna.
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Anonymous
Guest
Hi Donna,
Sorry to hear your bad news. I can't believe this authority could make such a decision - it sounds like they just don't know what they are talking about. You really don't deserve this kind of treatment from them. In my veiw, keeping a few hens as pets is far less problematic to the general public than keeping a dog for instance. They really are a load of jobsworths. :x
Don't let them get you down or they really have won. One day you WILL get some chickens. Think positive.
Best Wishes.
Sorry to hear your bad news. I can't believe this authority could make such a decision - it sounds like they just don't know what they are talking about. You really don't deserve this kind of treatment from them. In my veiw, keeping a few hens as pets is far less problematic to the general public than keeping a dog for instance. They really are a load of jobsworths. :x
Don't let them get you down or they really have won. One day you WILL get some chickens. Think positive.
Best Wishes.
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Anonymous
Guest
hi Donna,
I am so sorry,and I'm not surprised how disapointed you are.To get some legal advise for free,get in touch with citizens advice.They can get you an hours appointment with a solicitor for free.
I am so sorry,and I'm not surprised how disapointed you are.To get some legal advise for free,get in touch with citizens advice.They can get you an hours appointment with a solicitor for free.
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Anonymous
Guest
I spoke to the Citizens Advice a few weeks ago and they recommended a solicitor but what good is an hours free advice if I can't afford to follow it up? All they could do is tell me what Citizens Advice have already said. I mean, they won't actually DO anything will they? x
girlracer265
New member
do not give up
http://www.poultrychat.com/forum/index.php?/topic/10905-we-win-and-get-to-keep-chickens/
link to another forum sorry tim
but i think donna needs to read this thread
http://www.poultrychat.com/forum/index.php?/topic/10905-we-win-and-get-to-keep-chickens/
link to another forum sorry tim
but i think donna needs to read this thread
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Anonymous
Guest
Thanks for that link (even though it was for another website!)... its given me just that slight glimmer of hope. I've decided I'm gonna phone the solicitor that Citizens Advice recommended and I'm gonna bloody well book myself a free advice appointment.
I've got all the letters and paper copies of emails back and forth so I can show them those, along with the actual paragraph of the Allotments Act, and how at the beginning they tried to say it was stated in my housing covenant that I couldn't keep poultry and then said actually its not stated at all.
I figure if i show them everything thats been said between myself and Gentoo they'd get the gist quicker than if I was to try and explain it and it may cut out a big chunk of time that it would've taken to do that so that it'd give them longer to think about it and advise me.
Wish me luck. I'll let you know what the solicitor says and hopefully it'll be good news.
Donna. x
I've got all the letters and paper copies of emails back and forth so I can show them those, along with the actual paragraph of the Allotments Act, and how at the beginning they tried to say it was stated in my housing covenant that I couldn't keep poultry and then said actually its not stated at all.
I figure if i show them everything thats been said between myself and Gentoo they'd get the gist quicker than if I was to try and explain it and it may cut out a big chunk of time that it would've taken to do that so that it'd give them longer to think about it and advise me.
Wish me luck. I'll let you know what the solicitor says and hopefully it'll be good news.
Donna. x
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Anonymous
Guest
We have a very similarly worded covenant on our property BUT we were told by our local parish council that hens in the garden are domestic - not livestock!!!! This may help? It's only poultry/livestock if you sell the eggs accorsing to them!
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Anonymous
Guest
good luck Donna,I'm keeping my finger's crossed for you.Point out to them I keep snakes,chooks are a lot better than snakes,but if anyone from Gentoo would like a cuddle with my un-friendly python,they are very welcome.He's called Stripe,but should be Strike or Crusher,crush first and ask questions later......
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Anonymous
Guest
Hi Donna
I have just read through your posts with absolute admiration for honesty and passion about consulting and checking all ok before getting your chickens. I am also horrified by the way you have been treated. I did not get any permission before getting my chickens but I do know that just up the road a lady has had a small holding (very small) for years and there are definately other chicken keepers around here.
My husband breeds BOP and is well aware of DEFRA and their regs but never told me I needed to consult with anyone. I do know though that our neighbours (on one side) love the chickens but we do have a couple on the other side who may not like it but then the chickens wont interfer with them at all.
I do hope all works out well for you, so many people have not even considered consulting or gettin planning permission for chickens that it seems daft and unfair that you should be penalised for being so honest.
Some peoples dogs are a lot more of a nuisance that our little chooks.
XX
I have just read through your posts with absolute admiration for honesty and passion about consulting and checking all ok before getting your chickens. I am also horrified by the way you have been treated. I did not get any permission before getting my chickens but I do know that just up the road a lady has had a small holding (very small) for years and there are definately other chicken keepers around here.
My husband breeds BOP and is well aware of DEFRA and their regs but never told me I needed to consult with anyone. I do know though that our neighbours (on one side) love the chickens but we do have a couple on the other side who may not like it but then the chickens wont interfer with them at all.
I do hope all works out well for you, so many people have not even considered consulting or gettin planning permission for chickens that it seems daft and unfair that you should be penalised for being so honest.
Some peoples dogs are a lot more of a nuisance that our little chooks.
XX
girlracer265
New member
good luck 
Tim
Administrator
I'm terrified of snakes, I'm glad I'm not next door :? :?
You should have seen the mess my friends rabbits have made of his lawn - they dug through to next door more of a nuissance than chickens I'd say!
Best of luck Donna, my fingers are crossed for you...
You should have seen the mess my friends rabbits have made of his lawn - they dug through to next door more of a nuissance than chickens I'd say!
Best of luck Donna, my fingers are crossed for you...
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Anonymous
Guest
Don't worry Tim,they are safely locked away,but,it shows how ridiculous this country is,I've got an African python and an Australian python,yet poor Donna is being told she can't keep chickens.....it's stupid.
Also,my rabbits are my most expensive pets,as well as damaging gardens,mine eat a kilo of carrots a day,2 cabbages as well as a 'cake' or section of hay and rabbit pellets.They cost more to feed than my dogs,chooks,gerbils and fish.
Also,my rabbits are my most expensive pets,as well as damaging gardens,mine eat a kilo of carrots a day,2 cabbages as well as a 'cake' or section of hay and rabbit pellets.They cost more to feed than my dogs,chooks,gerbils and fish.
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Anonymous
Guest
Well, I don't whether it was the right thing to do but I wrote a LONG email to my local MP (Sharon Hodgson) explaining everything with my situation and I am busy awaiting a reply. I don't know how long I'll have to wait though. I just "happened" to mention that in the online chicken forum I visit I have been advised to go to my local paper etc etc as it seems Gentoo Sunderland are thinking they're above the law with regards to the Allotments Act.
I have no idea if she can help as I noticed on the "what your MP can and can't help with" it says that they can't give legal advice but to be honest I'm unsure if thats what I'm asking for (?). I'm merely asking her to clarify a point and acknowledge that the Allotments Act overrides any "law" which Gentoo are living by.
I've well and truly got my fingers crossed now! x
I have no idea if she can help as I noticed on the "what your MP can and can't help with" it says that they can't give legal advice but to be honest I'm unsure if thats what I'm asking for (?). I'm merely asking her to clarify a point and acknowledge that the Allotments Act overrides any "law" which Gentoo are living by.
I've well and truly got my fingers crossed now! x
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Anonymous
Guest
Good luck Donna,I hope you get it sorted in your favour.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Well, got a reply from my MP:
"Dear Donna, Thank you for your letter about Gentoo's refusal to allow you to keep chickens in your back garden. As an MP I am unable to give you legal advice or make legal respresentation on your behalf. However, it seems from what you have said that Gentoo have been inconsistent in their reasoning for their refusal, and so have written to Ian Porter, the Chief Executive of Gentoo Sunderland to pass on your concerns and ask him to explain the decision that was made. I enclose a copy of the letter for your reference. I do hope this matter can be resolved satisfactorily, particularly considering your clear passion for this topic.
If I can be of any further assistance on this or any other issue please do not to hestitate to get in touch.
Your Sincerely,
Sharon Hodgson MP"
************************
and her letter to the Chief Exec of Gentoo:
"Dear Ian, I have recently been contacted by a constituent of mine, Mrs Donna Dunn, regarding her correspondence with Gentoo over keeping chickens in her back garden. I understand that there may well have been, in theory, legitimate reasons for the request to be denied. However, I note that after a challenge to the initial reason that it stated that the property conveyance that poultry was not permitted, the next reponse received suggester that in Gentoo's view the chickens would be a nuisance to neighbours. This would suggest to me that the grounds for the denial of the request lie more in Gentoo's preference rather than a firm contractual or legal basis. This seems particularly strange in the light of Mrs Dunn's claim that her neighbours would be happy for her to keep chickens, and that hens unlike cockerels make very little noise.
I would be interested if you could confirm the reasons for your refusal of the request to Mrs Dunn, and explain the grounds on which you made this decision in the light of the Allotments Act 1950. I look forward to hearing your response.
Your Sincerely,
Sharon Hodgson MP"
******************************
I have to say I am quite impressed by the response time to my letter, and hope that by getting my MPs backing it might give Gentoo a shake up that I won't back down quite so easily!
By the way, the reason I had to type all that is cos I couldn't figure how to just attach a copy of the letters to this post. :roll:
"Dear Donna, Thank you for your letter about Gentoo's refusal to allow you to keep chickens in your back garden. As an MP I am unable to give you legal advice or make legal respresentation on your behalf. However, it seems from what you have said that Gentoo have been inconsistent in their reasoning for their refusal, and so have written to Ian Porter, the Chief Executive of Gentoo Sunderland to pass on your concerns and ask him to explain the decision that was made. I enclose a copy of the letter for your reference. I do hope this matter can be resolved satisfactorily, particularly considering your clear passion for this topic.
If I can be of any further assistance on this or any other issue please do not to hestitate to get in touch.
Your Sincerely,
Sharon Hodgson MP"
************************
and her letter to the Chief Exec of Gentoo:
"Dear Ian, I have recently been contacted by a constituent of mine, Mrs Donna Dunn, regarding her correspondence with Gentoo over keeping chickens in her back garden. I understand that there may well have been, in theory, legitimate reasons for the request to be denied. However, I note that after a challenge to the initial reason that it stated that the property conveyance that poultry was not permitted, the next reponse received suggester that in Gentoo's view the chickens would be a nuisance to neighbours. This would suggest to me that the grounds for the denial of the request lie more in Gentoo's preference rather than a firm contractual or legal basis. This seems particularly strange in the light of Mrs Dunn's claim that her neighbours would be happy for her to keep chickens, and that hens unlike cockerels make very little noise.
I would be interested if you could confirm the reasons for your refusal of the request to Mrs Dunn, and explain the grounds on which you made this decision in the light of the Allotments Act 1950. I look forward to hearing your response.
Your Sincerely,
Sharon Hodgson MP"
******************************
I have to say I am quite impressed by the response time to my letter, and hope that by getting my MPs backing it might give Gentoo a shake up that I won't back down quite so easily!
By the way, the reason I had to type all that is cos I couldn't figure how to just attach a copy of the letters to this post. :roll:
victorias poultry
New member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2009
- Messages
- 736
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- 0
I am impressed, your MP seems to be efficient!! Lets hope common sense prevails
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Anonymous
Guest
That is good news Donna,hopefully they will think again.Sounds as if your m.p. could actually be usefull.
