Help Pete with legal fees to save his life's work
Donation protected
In the beginning of March Pete was demanded by Wealden District Council (WDC) to remove everything in his garden within 28 days under the grounds of his aquatic nursery being a 'commercial enterprise' and because he is storing 'commercial waste' on his (mortgaged) property.
This includes his self created habitats, ponds and recyclable materials. WDC are saying that Pete is running a business from his address, which isn't true; the only thing that is used for business purposes at his address is his computer when he get in touch with clients!
Pete's garden contains a reference library of over 180 native and rare plant species which are used for educational and research purposes The plants are also put into other ponds for restoration, which provides vital biodiversity and habitats for a variety of British wildlife that was once lost.
GoFundMe has prompted me to describe who these funds will benefit, so here is a direct quote from Pete which shows who these funds, by extension, will benefit: "There are so many species of birds and insects in my garden, so many to list, but I have many varieties of amphibians, larvae, fish, pond snails, insects, sparrows, blue tits, robins, who take benefit of the bug and bird houses I create using recycled goods, also bees, I make bee houses from old tin cans which are very popular in season oh and of course my fox who has been a resident in my garden for 2 years".
Although the deadline has been extended until April, WDC are not backing down, instead sending threatening letters to Pete in an attempt to scare him and that again, are insisting Pete is using his address for business purposes. WDC have used dirty tactics in the past, lying on Twitter that a solution had been agreed with Pete, when in actuality no solution had been agreed.
Pete has received an abundance of advice and points of arguments (including pro - bono legal advice) from supporters, organisations and friends that can be used to win this fight.; there are so many angles that Pete can be defended from. This is amazing and greatly appreciated, but right now as no one is acting on an official, professional and paid-for capacity, none of this is legally actionable.
This is why Myself, Pete, Kerrie and Aaron are asking everyone to please donate to help Pete directly with legal fees. If we can get the right solicitors involved, all of the powerful and important ethical, environmental and moral counterarguments that have been amassed throughout this month can be used in a powerful and effective way against WDC.
I understand how problems concerning the planet and the environment can seem all too daunting and it can feel like no change can be made, but this fundraiser for Pete is our chance to directly help our planet, it's wildlife and the environmental teachers and healers of the world.
If Pete's garden is destroyed, it will be a direct destruction of many species, plant and an animal, a variety of wildlife habitats and the important materials that allow Pete to do everything he does. All of Pete's work of pond creation (over 2,000) and habitat restoration would not have been possible without his garden and everything that lives and exists there.
Pete's Granddaughter even loves Pete's garden and wildlife and now wants to build a pond at her school. This is why Pete's garden must stay - it inspires the younger generations to care for and want to get involved with wildlife! This is Pete's life's work and a lifetime hobby which has been in the making for over 20 years.
Let's make sure that a council whose own envelope says "recycle for Wealden" actually advocates for recycling rather than wasting their time and energy fighting against it!
All of us will be eternally grateful to whoever donates and shares this fundraiser, as by extension it is an act of kindness towards everyone involved and our planet which needs protecting so much.
*Any funds that remain after this is over will be donated to wildlife & conservation related charities!
Thanks everyone,
Dan, Pete, Kerrie & Aaron
My Petition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/help-stop-wealden-district-council-from-forcing-pete-to-destroy-his-life-s-work
'Save Pete the Pond's Garden' YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSmrhcTaOLQ&ab_channel=PetethePond
(Full campaign info & how you can further help): https://docs.google.com/document/d/11zbCPeJfZb3X1EGcvnMY0645kYkZHqS0uBdj_u2l1Mo/edit?usp=sharing
This includes his self created habitats, ponds and recyclable materials. WDC are saying that Pete is running a business from his address, which isn't true; the only thing that is used for business purposes at his address is his computer when he get in touch with clients!
Pete's garden contains a reference library of over 180 native and rare plant species which are used for educational and research purposes The plants are also put into other ponds for restoration, which provides vital biodiversity and habitats for a variety of British wildlife that was once lost.
GoFundMe has prompted me to describe who these funds will benefit, so here is a direct quote from Pete which shows who these funds, by extension, will benefit: "There are so many species of birds and insects in my garden, so many to list, but I have many varieties of amphibians, larvae, fish, pond snails, insects, sparrows, blue tits, robins, who take benefit of the bug and bird houses I create using recycled goods, also bees, I make bee houses from old tin cans which are very popular in season oh and of course my fox who has been a resident in my garden for 2 years".
Although the deadline has been extended until April, WDC are not backing down, instead sending threatening letters to Pete in an attempt to scare him and that again, are insisting Pete is using his address for business purposes. WDC have used dirty tactics in the past, lying on Twitter that a solution had been agreed with Pete, when in actuality no solution had been agreed.
Pete has received an abundance of advice and points of arguments (including pro - bono legal advice) from supporters, organisations and friends that can be used to win this fight.; there are so many angles that Pete can be defended from. This is amazing and greatly appreciated, but right now as no one is acting on an official, professional and paid-for capacity, none of this is legally actionable.
This is why Myself, Pete, Kerrie and Aaron are asking everyone to please donate to help Pete directly with legal fees. If we can get the right solicitors involved, all of the powerful and important ethical, environmental and moral counterarguments that have been amassed throughout this month can be used in a powerful and effective way against WDC.
I understand how problems concerning the planet and the environment can seem all too daunting and it can feel like no change can be made, but this fundraiser for Pete is our chance to directly help our planet, it's wildlife and the environmental teachers and healers of the world.
If Pete's garden is destroyed, it will be a direct destruction of many species, plant and an animal, a variety of wildlife habitats and the important materials that allow Pete to do everything he does. All of Pete's work of pond creation (over 2,000) and habitat restoration would not have been possible without his garden and everything that lives and exists there.
Pete's Granddaughter even loves Pete's garden and wildlife and now wants to build a pond at her school. This is why Pete's garden must stay - it inspires the younger generations to care for and want to get involved with wildlife! This is Pete's life's work and a lifetime hobby which has been in the making for over 20 years.
Let's make sure that a council whose own envelope says "recycle for Wealden" actually advocates for recycling rather than wasting their time and energy fighting against it!
All of us will be eternally grateful to whoever donates and shares this fundraiser, as by extension it is an act of kindness towards everyone involved and our planet which needs protecting so much.
*Any funds that remain after this is over will be donated to wildlife & conservation related charities!
Thanks everyone,
Dan, Pete, Kerrie & Aaron
My Petition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/help-stop-wealden-district-council-from-forcing-pete-to-destroy-his-life-s-work
'Save Pete the Pond's Garden' YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSmrhcTaOLQ&ab_channel=PetethePond
(Full campaign info & how you can further help): https://docs.google.com/document/d/11zbCPeJfZb3X1EGcvnMY0645kYkZHqS0uBdj_u2l1Mo/edit?usp=sharing
Organizer
Daniel Stevens
Organizer
England
