Caravan owners fear 'detrimental' site rental plans

The Southwold Caravan Owners Association said East Suffolk Council's proposals could ''change the entire character'' of the area

Caravan owners say council plans to change their lease agreements will drive them from a coastal site.

East Suffolk Council has proposed introducing 20-year leases for residents at Southwold Camping, on Ferry Road.

The local authority is running a public consultation as part of a project to renovate the area.

A committee member from the Southwold Caravan Owners Association (SCOA) said she feared the council was trying to "milk the caravan site for revenue" while bringing "increased traffic, noise and disruption to the harbour".

Colette Osborne said the plans would "have a detrimental effect on the area".

"Weekly rentals on the caravan site will substantially change what is a quiet community of very long-term caravan owners and bring increased traffic, noise and disruption to the harbour area," she said.

"The requirement to buy new caravans and pay higher fees for longer leases will price very many of the current caravan owners off the site.’’

Cynthia and Bill Smith first started staying at the Southwold Caravan Park in 1965

The consultation was launched on 8 April and is due to close on 15 May.

The local authority said the Southwold Harbour Vision 2035 and Static Caravan Site Revitalisation projects would enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of the area.

At present the static caravan site is run through the issuing of annual licences to residents.

The authority is considering three additional options, such as 20-year leases, a mixed leasing and renting model, and a system focusing on short-term rentals.

Cynthia Smith, 85, and her husband Bill, 87, said they first started staying there in 1965.

Mr Smith said: ''We love it. It's a way of life for us and our son loves it and only recently we have been allowed to pass it on to him and that's what we have to think about at our age''.

Eugene Kelly said he had been using the site for more than 30 years, adding: "I raised my daughter here and she took her first steps here".

The 66-year-old said owners could decide to leave the site because of the changes.

Caravan owner Eugene Kelly says the changes being proposed may force him to stop using the site after more than 30 years

SOCA chairwoman Diane Perry-Yates said leases varying in length, such as three, five or eight years, would be "fair and doable" and pointed out that some existing residents would not live through a 20-year lease.

A council spokesperson said: "This consultation is seeking views on ideas for the revitalisation of Southwold Harbour and caravan site from a range of stakeholders and will provide the basis for more detailed discussions going forward."

People can complete an online survey, fill in paper copies, or attend one of three drop-in events taking place in the town.