Sites Winter closures

boyobaker
boyobaker Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited November 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Brecon Beacons caravan site is now closed for the winter? It is newly reburshed with lots of hardstandings and fully serviced pitches. It is vey popular and very busy. Brecon town and the caravan club surely need the money generated from visits.

Why is it closed?

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Comments

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,403 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #2

    Good question, boyo! I'd have thought that was a perfect example of a site which would do well in winter.

    Maybe something to do with local planning or lease conditions? Who knows? Hopefully someone will be along to explain.

  • MidsomerMikey
    MidsomerMikey Club Member Posts: 46 ✭✭
    edited November 2016 #3

    It is probably down to lease agreements with the land owner or local council

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #4

    As said, it's very often a decision beyond CC's control.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #5

    Certainly when we stayed there  couple of years ago, just after it was refurbished, they could not let all their pitches due to planning constraints. When the site was showing full at the weekend there were 15 or so empty pitches.

  • Francis
    Francis Club Member Posts: 2,025 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #6

    Yes there are a few sites that I feel could be open all year round another example would be Ayr Craigie which shuts next week I feel this site would do well during the winter months

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited November 2016 #7

    I agree with the Op,we need more open all year sites, especially ones within walking distance of Small towns/villages/ cities, extra trade for local shops,pubs,restuarants.Not everyone puts their vans to bed for the winter.  

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #8

    Yes there are a few sites that I feel could be open all year round another example would be Ayr Craigie which shuts next week I feel this site would do well during the winter months

    Not for me. a Tad two far for a Christmas break but I agree that it might well be popular

  • Francis
    Francis Club Member Posts: 2,025 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #9

    Yes there are a few sites that I feel could be open all year round another example would be Ayr Craigie which shuts next week I feel this site would do well during the winter months

    Not for me. a Tad two far for a Christmas break but I agree that it might well be popular

    Write your comments here...

    Its one of our regular weekender sites as it is only 35 mins from home  nice site in a decent location plus around Christmas time there are a few events going on in the town centre

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #10

    Yes there are a few sites that I feel could be open all year round another example would be Ayr Craigie which shuts next week I feel this site would do well during the winter months

    Its one of our regular weekender sites as it is only 35 mins from home  nice site in a decent location plus around Christmas time there are a few events going on in the town centre

    I would have thought it to be popular and a pleasant stroll into town

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited November 2016 #11

    Brecon Site was purchased from the previous owner Colin Jones by the club.Then closed for refurbishment. Its central, has good access and plenty of hard standings.Mystery why such early closing.

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited November 2016 #12

    Brecon is a lovely Town too, and could probably do with the extra Christmas/New Year trade,  not many all year sites in Wales unfortunately.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #13

    Could it be that because of it's relatively isolated location the club has considered the possibility of roads in the area being closed due to adverse weather conditions, as they appear to have done for some of the Scottish sites?

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited November 2016 #14

    Isolated?-Its on the main East/West road route through Wales. Never heard of weather causing any problem.Also within easy reach of the South Wales connurbations and easy access from the midlands.  Come off it we are coming to Langdale in Mid December- is
    there anywher more isolated?

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited November 2016 #15

    Could it be that those in Grimstead Towers think that anywhere outside the Londonshire golden triangle is a completely different world, devoid of any modern infostructure or transport links, where during the winter months the population goes into hibernation.     

    Perhaps they should try caravanning -- Then they could go out into the rest of the UK more .

    Cheers,    K Smile

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #16

    The site does accept non-members which suggests there are conditions applied to the site which the Club does not have control over. I also think its strange that Bladon Chains at Woodstock closes so early as there are so many events at Blenheim Palace in th run up to Christmas. In that case it might be because only a third of the pitches are hardstandings and its not financially possible to keep it open on so few pitches?

    David

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
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    edited November 2016 #17

    What a shame if roolz for roolz sake, as is often the case with local authorities, have created this situation. Just down the road in Crickhowell common sense prevailed against roolz. Google crickhowell fair tax for details.

    We were thinking of surprising the bil and partner with a winter weekend at Brecon CC site, as they have just suffered a bereavement and wanted to lift spirits. Have to look at commercial sites instead. 

     

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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    edited November 2016 #18

     Hopefully someone will be along to explain.

    That word again, Hopefully.

    Yet another interesting question that the members would like to know the answer to. It happens so many times that there is never an answer from the club.

     

  • scoutman
    scoutman Club Member Posts: 441 ✭✭✭
    edited November 2016 #19

    Unfortunately, caravan sites are often subject to stringent planing restrictions imposed by local planing authorities, in this case Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, not one of the most lenient. I suspect this is probably the case here.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #20

    When you look at it, the whole of South Wales is very poorly provided for. Only one site is open all year and one other till New Year.

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited November 2016 #21

    Just done a quick search. Other sites in the Nat Park are open longer and some "all year". Seems its Grimstead Towers with their attitute " we have always done it this way".Dont rock the boat or disturb our tea breaks whilst we count our high salaries.Have
    they trialed longer opening?

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #22

    Unfortunately, caravan sites are often subject to stringent planing restrictions imposed by local planing authorities, in this case Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, not one of the most lenient. I suspect this is probably the case here.

    I can see the logic in them being very strict on there positioning, access and aspect. However, once all that has been approved, where is the logic in not using them and bringing money into local economy throughout the year. Even more so in the lean winter
    months.

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited November 2016 #23

    We have an old saying here in Wales, when translated means "A pound in the Winter is worthTwo in the summer". I would have thought that the Brecon site would be a better option than Tredegar Park for opening all winter, looking at the location and things
    to do.

  • boyobaker
    boyobaker Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited November 2016 #24

    Do you think the regional manager responsible might reply to clarify why it is not to be open. I would say there is considerable interest for it to be open.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #25

    Here in Cornwall there is hardly a caravan to be seen out and about today. I have just driven along the main A30 road and not seen a single one. Might it be the same in Wales and just not worth keeping the site open? 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #26

    The only open welsh sites running near full this weekend are Tredegar House and Lady Margarets

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #27

    The only open welsh sites running near full this weekend are Tredegar House and Lady Margarets

    Of the others if they are only using hardstandings Pembrey is about half full and Gowerton about two thirds. The strange one is Shawsmead, which if they are only using HS only has about 6 bookings this weekend.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #28

    Isolated?-Its on the main East/West road route through Wales. Never heard of weather causing any problem.Also within easy reach of the South Wales connurbations and easy access from the midlands.  Come off it we are coming to Langdale in Mid December-
    is there anywher more isolated?

    Wasdale!Wink

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #29

    When you look at it, the whole of South Wales is very poorly provided for. Only one site is open all year and one other till New Year.

    Presumably you mean CC site, as I'm sure that there are some commercial sites that are open all year round down that way.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #30

    The only open welsh sites running near full this weekend are Tredegar House and Lady Margarets

    Of the others if they are only using hardstandings Pembrey is about half full and Gowerton about two thirds. The strange one is Shawsmead, which if they are only using HS only has about 6 bookings this weekend.

    Perhaps it's because they close on Monday, and the site is quite a distance from any major conurbation. BTW how are you able to tell that there's only 6 pitches filled?

  • compass362
    compass362 Forum Participant Posts: 619
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    edited November 2016 #31

    The only open welsh sites running near full this weekend are Tredegar House and Lady Margarets

    Of the others if they are only using hardstandings Pembrey is about half full and Gowerton about two thirds. The strange one is Shawsmead, which if they are only using HS only has about 6 bookings this weekend.

    Perhaps it's because they close on Monday, and the site is quite a distance from any major conurbation. BTW how are you able to tell that there's only 6 pitches filled?

    Write your comments here... Speculation or wishful thinking I guess