Well things change quickly. We were there today at 9am and didnt get seen before 1.30pm today. The bobby was more than helpful. but what has happened he explained is the residents have complained about people queuing outside from early doors.  So now you have to go to the Police station by the park and be assigned your number from there and then come back and wait. This was already our 3rd visit to get our residency renewed. But they took pity on me as my hubby wasn't well and wheelchaired bound and also my old mum  -they just wrote out a hand written number.
they also informed me it was permanent and I didn't need to get it renewed! Yipee!!! ::) :) ;)