ELF Trust Water Supply and Use

ELF Trust, Harewood, Calstock

Water supply to the ELF land.

index to Original letters and deed of easement.

The Townsend Tango.

water1.php 25 July, 2005 : Written offer of use of water to 'Townsend's'.
water2.php 28 Dec, 2005 : Reminder to fulfill and communicate on the conditons of use.
water3.php 24th Mar, 2006 : Acknowledgement that you are paying the reduced fee of £2
water4.php 7th Mar, 2007 : Enquiry about your lack of payment since July, 2006
water5.php 6th Sept, 2007 : Query RE. Unlicensed water used for ridden horses.
water6.php 3rd Nov, 2007 : Notification of discontinence.
17th Jan 08 Folder of details : Court action against Mr & Mrs Townsend.

Brief History of Third Party Use

During negotiations to purchase land from John and Mary Mortimer we agreed to allow Linda Hanns a continued use of our water supply. She continued paying the full water bill untill she no longer had horses resident in the neighbouring fields.
On acquiring the land we were initially challenged on the conditions of our water rigths by the solicitors of Linda Hanns, owner of the adjacent field under which our pipeline was laid: See first link above.
Later, Linda leased the fields to other horse users and we declined a request to further allow them acces to the water as the ELF trust will not encourage the exploitation of animals.
When Linda sold her Land to the Townsends, we explained our position and agreed to allow them to access the water as the two ponies they had were not ridden or used as pets but were 'rescued'. Initially they took water from the tap in our 'Compost Field'. Later they accessed the water via an extention fitted to our pipeline from inside an old barn. This was not done with our approval but has been tolerated on conditions laid out in the details of a license provided out of good will and for their security.
The most recent development is that the Townsends are using the water for horses exploited for riding. Letter delivered 6th September, 2007

During the evening of 5th Sept I spent some time with Kay and Steve, who have been given use of our water by the Townsends. They advised me that the Townsends told them the ELF trust cannot cut off water to animals.

The implication being they can use as much water as they wish. Apart from the sheer cheek of it, if it is true we are left with the option of charging them a higher fee. This is unpalatable as it could be seen as making money from the use of animals. However giving them the water free would be worse.

I imagine the Townsends assertions are false and am consulting South West Water and legal authorites to confirm. If it turns out the Townsends are just trying to pressure us without good reason then I consider them unsuitable to have any further access to the water.