THE manager of an animal sanctuary fears it could close bcause of a dispute over planning permission.

Kayshill animal sanctuary at Bildershaw, near West Auckland, has been open a year, but manager Kevin Plummer says he faces the prospect of trying to re-home all of his animals by November. Teesdale District Council wants the animals removed after officers said they break regulations.

Mr Plummer moved into Stonehouse Chapel with a view to using the 15 acres of land as a rescue centre for homeless and unwanted animals.

Some existing buildings were used to house livestock, but because the animals are no longer used for agricultural purpose, the use of the site has been changed, the council said. The sanctuary installed an aviary and dog kennels, which did not have planning permission.

The sanctuary has had a rocky first year and was plagued with rogue calls to the RSPCA, Defra and Environmental Health about living conditions of the animals.

Inspectors said the animals were being looked after by Mr Plummer and the 15 volunteers who work at Kayshill, which recently lost 20 tonnes of hay in a fire.

Mr Plummer said: "The council has given us until November to remove the animals, but I've got about 160 animals here and I'll never re-home them in time.

"Many of the animals are very old and are sent here to live out their days in happiness.

I've got a 16-year-old cat - who is going to want to take that off my hands?

"I've said to the council to give me guidelines as to where I can put the animals so they are happy but I haven't heard anything."

A spokesman from Teesdale District Council said: "The new owners were advised before they purchased the property that planning permission would be required for the use of the site for an animal sanctuary.

"We have spoken to one of the owners advising on what would be appropriate at the site.

"We have explained that if they fail to apply for permission, the alternative is to cease the use of the land."