A CHILDREN’S charity which was forced to move out of Thornbury could be under threat once again, after being served with an eviction notice at its new home.

Incredible Kids has been based at the Whale Wharf business park in Littleton-upon-Severn since July, after leaving their temporary home at the former South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) offices in Thornbury which are being demolished.

However, SGC has now told the charity that they cannot remain at their new home due to planning rules.

Incredible Kids provides support for children with disabilities and life-limiting conditions, and helps hundreds of youngsters from across South Gloucestershire each year.

 The charity has been using an area of the business park which was made available for free by owner Charlie Tull after he heard of their plight.

But the council has now served an enforcement notice which says that the existing planning consent for the site does not permit the charity to be based there, and cites the impact on surrounding roads and flood risks.

The council said that “formal enforcement action” could be taken if the charity doesn’t leave.

The Whale Wharf site has been put forward for a number of prospective developments in the past, including a 450-bed activity school, for which it has consent, and was previously used by 550 office workers.

As a result, Mr Tull and Incredible Kids said they were disappointed and confused by the council’s stance.

“They have persistently resisted any use of this brownfield site while greener areas of South Gloucestershire remain under pressure from development,” said Mr Tull.

“However, to see them take such a heavy-handed approach when the only current user of the site is a local charity shows a complete lack of empathy or common sense.”

Speaking for the charity, Trevor Joyes said: “It is very disappointing to once again find Incredible Kids future in question as a result of the proposed action by the council.

“We hope that this can be resolved quickly so that the services we provide can continue uninterrupted.”

The landowner said theiry have a planning specialist is in contact with the council, who in turn claim that they have received “no meaningful communication”.

“We are actively responding to the specific details they have raised,” said Mr Tull. “But I call on the council to adopt a more constructive approach.”

A SGC spokesman said that while planning permission had been granted for schemes in the past, it came with “strict and comprehensive” conditions to ensure safety due to flood risks and highway access.

He said that the charity’s use of the site does not fall within existing permission, and that no new application had been submitted nor had information that the risks had been addressed.

The spokesman added that a complaint had been made about the charity’s vulnerable users’ safety, and they had no choice but to make it clear that they may take formal action until necessary requirements are in place.