MP Stephen Gilbert calls for criminals caravan park ban

A Cornish MP has called for those with convictions for violence to be banned from owning caravan park home sites.

There are an estimated 1,800 park homes, or mobile accommodation, in the UK, many of them occupied by retirees who have sold their former home.

The homes are regulated under the Mobile Homes Act.

But Newquay and St Austell MP Stephen Gilbert said many residents were victims of intimidation by a minority of unscrupulous site owners.

Liberal Democrat Mr Gilbert said: "Across the country and particularly in the South West park homes play a really important part of the housing mix, providing lower cost accommodation for often elderly and vulnerable people.

"But there are are no restrictions or regulations on those who can own the sites on which park homes are situated.

"That means in certain parts of the country and in places in my constituency we have seen serious abuses, bullying, harassment and intimidation of residents."

His proposal is backed by 11 MPs including Cornwall Liberal Democrat MPs Andrew George and Dan Rogerson and Conservative Sheryll Murray along with Devon Liberal Democrat MP Adrian Sanders and Conservative Sarah Wollaston.

A spokesman for the British Holiday and Home Parks Association said in a statement: "The BH&HPA has been, and remains fully supportive of government moves to give park home owners even greater protection under the law.

"The assocation calls for, and welcomes, any measure to curb mismanagement and unethical practices by a small minority of park owners."

Mr Gilbert's Park Homes (Site Owner Licensing) Bill is unlikely to become law due to a lack of parliamentary time.