Caravan owners 'distraught' over park revamp plans

Diane Perry-Yates, chair of Southwold Caravan Owners Association (SCOA), said the uncertainty surrounding the future of the site had left caravan owners "distressed"

Caravan owners have been left "very distraught" by plans to increase pitch fees and halve the number of plots at a Suffolk caravan park as part of a redevelopment.

East Suffolk Council is expected to greenlight proposals to rejuvenate Southwold Caravan and Campsite, in Ferry Road, at a cabinet meeting next week.

The revamp will see the site's 140 static caravan spaces reduced to 74 and 28 new lodges built, while the yearly licence fee will increase from £2,791 to £4,500.

The council says the changes will triple the park's income, but Diane Perry-Yates, chair of Southwold Caravan Owners Association (SCOA), said the plans have left caravan owners with more questions than answers.

"Our members have been on site for a very long time but some are leaving because there are a lot of unknowns," she told the BBC.

"They are very distraught and distressed and they really don't need that worry - they need to be able come down and have that time to enjoy the caravan.

"But a lot of time now all they are talking about or worrying about is what is going to happen."

The site currently has 140 caravan plots, but this could be reduced to 74 if the plans are approved

According to the council, the park which does not provide users with water, electricity or sewage, has become "outdated", both physically and commercially, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It has around 13 acres of operational land within Southwold Harbour and includes 140 static caravan spaces, as well as 107 touring caravan and tent pitches.

Caravan owners currently agree to an annual arrangement but, under the new proposals, they will be subject to a 10-year licence, costing £4,500 per year.

The redevelopment, costing between £4.5m and £6.5m over five years, will see the park generate up to £820,000 in annual profit within five years, the council says.

The first phase of the project is expected to take place between December 2026 and April 2027, with caravan owners having to move off the site by next October.

The council says the caravan park is "outdated" and is in dire need to redevelopment

"We accept it needs to be updated and our members would like it to be updated, but you do expect to be kept up to date with what's happening," said Ms Perry-Yates.

"We have been more than happy to work with the council and have asked for information but time and time again we have been side-lined.

"Caravan sites are having problems at the moment, so it's not a good time to be spending huge amounts of money on redevelopment. But that's for them to decide."

'Owners are updated regularly'

The council told the BBC it had "engaged consistently with the caravan owners".

"We are now seeking to progress the project which will determine the best mix of lodges and caravans as well as the financial viability and deliverability of any scheme," a spokesperson said.

"At this stage, the figures quoted are only indicative based on a high-level scheme and no final decision has yet been made.

"The caravan owners are updated regularly and representatives attended the most recent meeting which unanimously voted in favour of progressing the proposals."