Ross Park
Anyone else watching the article about Ross Park on Countryfile at the moment? It was, apparently, taken over by a consortium at the end of 2020 and there are now plans (already work in progress) to greatly expand it to accommodate a large number of holiday homes.
We stayed there on a number of occasions when it was family run, a lovely, dog friendly site. Seems a shame to see the way it's going but maybe a sign of the times?
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Seems as if there is a loophole that allows expansion without going trough normal planning regs, it seems to have got some locals a bit upity
Trying to say that the park homes are affordable housing?
I bet they will not be sold as that ,more like as retirement homes .
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Yes, I saw it and it seems using the certificate of established use to put residential units on holiday sites is quite widespread.
It's beyond my understanding as holiday and residential sites operate under different licences. The residential site I live on will not allow, and is not permitted to allow, holiday use. Similarly, the nearby holiday site will not allow, and is not permitted to allow, year round occupation even though it is open all year.
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I also saw the programme. Just emailed an ex colleague who has a seasonal pitch there to try and see if the changes go beyond the extra area. Whilst the provision of extra (relatively low cost) living accommodation might we useful I wonder how many actual "local" take advantage of it or whether it is mainly sold to incomers as a cheap means of having a second home?
David
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Probably not as cheap as you think.
https://parkhome-living.co.uk/homes/for-sale
All homes where we live have to be the owner's main UK residence and not a second home.
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Update:-
Just had a reply from my ex colleague who has had a seasonal pitch at Ross Park for some years. She has now sold her caravan sighting the fact that the new owners wanted and extra £1700 a year. Not only that, previously they were allowed to leave their awning up but under the new rules they couldn't do that. In addition to the increased charges they also had to pay extra for the dog which they didn't before. Also where as the previous owners allowed visitors at no cost the new owners now make a charge. It is really a shame as I know Wendy enjoyed staying down at the site but she wasn't keen on towing which probably explains why she and her husband have sold their van. Another sign of a changing world?
David
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I have a feeling we've seen the best of things.🤷🏻♂️
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As you say TW this happening at many seaside resorts, not just in the south of England.
I was talking to one man who lived in his static caravan and had no other permanent address. He used to go to the council and declare himself homeless for the number of weeks that he was not allowed to stay in his van.
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I know people who live in a holiday van and go away in their campervan when their time is up on site. 🤷🏻♂️
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I think that goes for many things we took for granted when we were working and now in our later years, that those much younger will only look on with envy ,as to what their future is going to be ,compared to the concessions we have got, many cannot believe, who now work in my old company compared to what they can expect when retired ,even what OH and I get ,but they do get a much higher remuneration for less hours than were expected of us
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We also watched Countryfile and have stayed on the site many years ago and both our spaniels loved the dog walk, fond memories and cannot believe what some folk can do and others not, agree with what sort of prices will these park homes sell for, and not just Ross park but other areas of Devon as well.
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