MAGISTRATES will next week decide whether a pensioner has to get rid of his beloved geese following a complaint about the noise they make.

Philip Kempley 89, has kept geese on land he owns behind his house in Bridge Lane, Ilkley, for 79 years without any issues being raised by neighbours.

However, earlier this year Bradford Council’s environmental health department contacted him about a complaint it had received regarding the noise made by the geese and by a device which makes a noise to deter foxes on the site.

In June the council served a notice in respect of the statutory nuisance which ordered Mr Kempley to stop the noise being caused by his geese or be liable for fines of up to £500 for each day on which an offence continues after conviction.

The pensioner, who suffers from a heart condition, was devastated by the order said his niece Liz Tennant, who lives nearby and has taken up the case on his behalf.

She has also gathered the support of neighbours and local councillors and an appeal was lodged against the notice.

That appeal is now listed to be heard at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 20.

Mr Kempley will not be attending the appeal due to his health and has authorised his niece to attend on his behalf. He will also be represented in court by a barrister.

Mrs Tennant said: “After the last press regarding the geese, a local barrister got in touch and very kindly offered to assist with the appeal as a pro-bono case.”

Mrs Tennant said there was a groundswell of support for Mr Kempley and his geese from the majority of neighbours - even from former neighbours, including one who now lives in Canada.

“The support of the local residents of Middleton Road and Bridge Lane (the streets that back on to where the geese are) has been amazing and super supportive,” she added.

“In fact we’ve had people from all over Ilkley offering their support as well as ex-residents who have moved away, even one living in Canada.

“There’s a petition to support the geese which many people have signed, as well as a few residents wrote in to Bradford Council as well as contacting local councillors for us.

“Cllr Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) and Cllr Martin Smith (Con, Ilkley) have been very pro-active in contacting officials at Bradford Council.”

Cllr Hawkesworth has previously said she was appalled that the order had been issued in the first place.

“It should be stopped then dealt with by negotiation and consultation," she said.

"I have signatures from all the surrounding neighbours supporting the geese. The geese are part of the community in that area and have been for 70 years.

"The gentleman also has a serious heart problem.”

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