Caravan site accused of 'bullying' over fee hike

The Camping and Caravanning Club has increased its siting fees

A caravan club has been accused of "bullying" its members after it increased its fees by thousands of pounds.

Site fees at Derwentwater Static Caravan Site in Keswick, Cumbria, have increased from £6,500 to £10,500.

Caravan owner Terry Hawkins said the price hikes came into force with "with no consultation, explanation, or justification".

The Camping and Caravanning Club, which operates the park, said the charge had been increased due to "inflationary" costs and it made no profit from the fee.

Mr Hawkins believes the club is in breach of its own rules, which he said stated the club must manage its camp sites at a "reasonable" cost.

"This increase is ridiculous, has no justification and no one could consider this reasonable," he said.

"It's the older, most loyal and life-long members who are being financially exploited and bullied by the club."

'Leave with no charge'

The club said the fee was paid by home owners when their static caravan was "sited" on the campsite.

It was paid by those who purchased a new caravan or when their holiday home reached the end of its "permitted life expectancy", which was every 15 years, it said.

According to the club, the charge covers the collection, delivery and siting of the unit, as well as materials and labour costs to refurbish the pitch.

A spokesperson for the club said: "The fee is only applicable to a small number of people at any one time and we continue to monitor and recalculate the fee to ensure we only pass on the necessary costs to the owner."

Homeowners also pay an annual site licence fee, which allows them to keep their home on the site and access the club's services.

The site licence fee increased by 5% this year to £4,650.

The Camping and Caravanning Club said it was up to homeowners whether they wished to pay the increased fees.

"Should the caravan holiday home owner feel they no longer want to stay on the campsite, they are able to take their current unit and leave with no charge from the club," the spokesperson said.