Changes to Archaic Rules
Comments
-
Just because legislation was enacted a while ago does not automatically make it bad. The exemption that allows the siting of caravans or tents belonging to members of proscribed organisations is just that - an exemption from more onerous requirements.
It is given, as I recall from previous threads, under Regulations made under an Act of Parliament rather than an Act itself. So it can be ammended, or removed, without the involvement of Parliament by some Civil Service adjustment. To promote travel and tourism that adjustment coud easily be to remove the the "Club" requirement and allow any landowner to devote a particular sized piece of land to the siting of caravans.
Being a member of "The Caravan Club" has not been a metric of reputable character for a long time.
0 -
To promote travel and tourism that adjustment coud easily be to remove the the "Club" requirement and allow any landowner to devote a particular sized piece of land to the siting of caravans.
Being a member of "The Caravan Club" has not been a metric of reputable character for a long time.
At least the fact that the element of only being available to a club does mean that there is a possibility of oversight of sites
0 -
However Nav CLs/CSs have a reputation for being at least decent as they belong to their respective clubs. Who will monitor the conditions of those other "allowed" sites, and how would one find them in the first instance without them being in a directory of some description.
0 -
Well, no-one of course! That would be part of the new liberal (small "l") modern way of doing things. Some sort of thing on the Internet would probably arise to replace the directories of the many - is it nearly 600? - clubs.
Personally I think the good ones would keep their heads down and stay full based on quiet recomendations.
0 -
But where does one start, as the club's would automatically remove them from their web sites as they would no longer meet the requirements of the exemption certificates?
0 -
Surely the whole basis of the Certificated System is that certain organisations have a "trusted status" to administer the system and that power is only granted if those organisations actually do that. If you are suggesting some sort of self certification that could be chaos and would probably lead to the scheme being withdrawn.
David
1 -
It always strikes me that small campsites could operate without Club approval - just like small campsites do all over the rest of the world.
0 -
Of course they could if they're willing to go down the planning consent route and tangle with officialdom. The umbrella held by an exempting organisation saves them all that.
1 -
Small sites are not forced to become a CL are they?
And of course nothing to stop them doing what you suggest, so why do you think why don't more do so? Any thoughts?
0 -
Now that's something I have never understood.
People in other branches of the hospitality business set up guest houses run B&Bs , and rent out cottages - but they don't ever say they will only accept guests who are members of a certain Club. That would be no way to run a small business, and it beats me why owners of small campsites choose to do it differently and rectrict their customer base to Club members.
0 -
Hi euror, I can see that maybe in the past it was a way to promote your site, but in theses days maybe that's not such a necessity, however, for most would it be that the easiest route to being able to operate is via one of the clubs exemptions?
1 -
Apart from being a government regulation ,to ensure there were not, as happens at times , flagrant "i can do want i want" when setting up a 5 van site,The cl/cs rules could be an early variation on the "franchise" system that is operated by so many companies ,that by doing it their way ,also gives the credence of a well known and respected brand
1 -
I think that's right, A&J. Some CL owners subsequently find they have sufficient business and are happy to carry on under the exemption certification arrangements while others decide to break away and go it alone with their own planning consent to seek a wider audience and maybe expand the site.
0 -
well as they do it in such large numbers they must see it as advantageous in some way and who are you to say what is any way to run a small business? Don't forget these CLs are often, if not all, not the main small business.
Personally though I would think that access to a national advertising system and access to club members who it may be said are of a certain 'standard' of behaviour and/or income might be reassuring to the owner and bring in more users who leave reviews to others like minded members, again nationally and their business grows. An excellent way to run a small business isn't it?
But why you continue to 'have a go' (in the mildest possible terms) at a system that benefits so many on both sides is something I do not understand.
2 -
Just a thought, it seems to be those who want the Government regulations,that cover the cl/cs network changing and even it seems not under the "control" of any of the clubs, a way of them hoping to get "cheaper" stays , without the extra membership fees of belong to a club
0 -
In my earlier post, where I suggested what changes to the long established Regulations could be, I seem not to have made it clear what effect the removal of the "members of a touring club" requirement would be:-
It would be no involvement of any members' clubs, no "CL", no "CS", no whatever the 598 other clubs call them, because what would have been removed would be the need for the operator to hold an exemption certificate issued by one of those clubs. Any (and all) five or less caravan sites would automatically be exempt from the relevant planning regulations.
I'm sure those who argue for freedom of the individual could build a very good case on that basis, but I don't think it would be good for the big clubs maintaining membership numbers. The smaller clubs, where memberships is more of a social nature, might well support the concept.
Just be carefull of what you wish for, as my friend who owns a large site with only a small touring component used to say about how lovely it would be on the site if the residents all went away.
0 -
There are great advantages to being part of the Cl system. The advertising to a large membership being the main.How many of us just look at the Cl in an area to visit or tour? Its easy and convenient.but unfortunately the numbers keep reducing year on year.and the biggest drawback to a new Cl is the cost of setting up with todays required facilities. It just does not make it viable on 5 units.
0 -
That is an often used refrain on this forum but I would question whether many would want to go down that route because of the extra costs of applying for planning permission. ( where I live it cost £450 just to get permission to drop a kerb!!) There would also be the need to consult locally which I am sure would throw up all sorts of objections. That is why working within the current framework would be a better option. However I am pretty sure the Club have previously laid out why they are unwilling to go down that route as they fear the whole system could be changed or done away with. In some ways it would probably be better if the pressure came from organisations like the NFU given that post Brexit many farmers are unsure of future income regarding subsidies so it would have an attraction from Government as a no cost change.
David
0 -
Hi TW, what you describe is the situation with my storage location. It started as a CS with the C&CC and then started to offer storage as the working farm aspect wound down.
They then decided to go for a site licence so they could offer/have more pitches and have expanded the storage space from the original 4-6 to app 100 but, due to how they have designed it you would not know there was any change.
0 -
If the rate of Cl closures continue how many will there be in 10 years.Are Caravans/Motor Homes going to get bigger.Are Vaners going to need more facilities? The status quo will only see a decline. More new entrants will find the 5 van limit unviable. How much will hard standings, access road, perhaps an utility block cost? Its quite easy to get farm panning for a small site. There are organisations to help with the planning plus tourism grants. Is the way to retain the Cl network to provide some flexibility on scale or just leave things as they are and it dwindles away.I dont know the answer, but there will a huge push to regenerate the whole economy post virus and old rules and red tape will be pushed aside.If the club is not ready it will miss the boat.
0
