Camber holiday park reassures fearful owners

Park Resorts, in New Lydd Road, Camber, has spoken out following rumours a number of its residents are being kicked out due to a breach of contract.

The rumours began circulating after residents in neighbouring holiday parks, including Beauport Park and Coghurst Hall in Hastings, received eviction letters when it was revealed they were living on site permanently, without a second residence elsewhere.

The issue came to light following an investigation by Rother District Council.

The council wrote to residents in holidays park across the area, telling them they must pay council tax on their holiday homes if they don’t pay it on another property – something they were happy to do but something that goes against their contract agreement with the holiday parks.

Park Resorts in Camber Sands insists none of its residents are facing eviction as thorough checks are done to ensure they all have secondary properties off-site.

A spokesperson for the park said: “Camber Sands is not a residential park. When our owners purchase their holiday homes they are made aware at every stage of the process that the accommodation they are buying is not to be used as a full-time residential property and they sign a contract agreeing to this.

“Prior to purchase, all our owners are asked to provide proof of permanent residency in the form of a council tax bill. As such, our owners are aware of the rules and regulations and have provided proof of permanent residency.”

Although there are currently no issues with residents at the site, Park Resorts did state that should a problem appear whereby a resident is living on-site permanently, then they would act accordingly with the rules of the contract.

A spokesman from Rother District Council said: “Over the past few months, officers at Rother District Council, which is responsible for collecting council tax, have been carrying out surveys to confirm council tax is being paid on residents’ primary property. Unfortunately, as a result, some residents have found themselves in breach of the terms and conditions set by the holiday park.

“We are in discussion with the holiday parks and residents affected. Applications for support received by the district council will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.”

One holiday park resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “We received a letter from the council to say we had to pay council tax if we don’t own another property.

“We’re all happy to do that but upon admitting we don’t have another property, we’re facing eviction from the holiday park. We’ve shot ourselves in the foot with our honesty.

“I understand the holiday park has to do what it needs to do in order to keep its licence but our contract states we can live in the caravan for 50 weeks of the year, so long as we vacate it for at least two weeks, which we make sure to do. We just don’t know who to turn to about this.”