MP Stephen Gilbert welcomes mobile home consultation

The British Holiday and Home Parks Association supports moves to curb unethical practices

A consultation into the way mobile home sites are run has been welcomed by a Cornish MP.

There about about 1,800 park homes - or mobile accommodation - in the UK, many of which are in Devon and Cornwall.

Newquay and St Austell MP Stephen Gilbert has claimed many residents are intimidated by a minority of unscrupulous site owners.

The Liberal Democrat said he was pleased the government was giving the issue the attention it deserved.

The consultation will cover the buying and selling of park homes, the responsibility for maintenance of the units and the sanctions available for site owners who are convicted of bullying and harassment.

Park homes are regulated under the Mobile Homes Act.

Mr Gilbert is sitting on the Communities and Local Government Select Committee which is taking evidence from residents and site owners. The committee is due to report to the government by the summer.

The MP, who raised the matter in parliament earlier this year, said everyone deserved a safe and secure home, but that was "sadly" not the case for many park home residents.

"While many site owners are decent and honest people, there have been far too many reported cases of intimidation, harassment and bullying from site owners in order to force the residents out of the parks and collect excessive charges for pitch fees, utilities and maintenance," Mr Gilbert said.

"These practices must come to an end and I am pleased to see that the government is giving the issue the attention it deserves through this consultation."

In January the British Holiday and Home Parks Association said it would support any move to give park home owners more legal protection and curb any mismanagement or unethical practices.