MP backs Holiday Park Occupancy Campaign

22nd December 2010
MP backs Holiday Park Occupancy Campaign

Local MP, Gordon Henderson is backing the campaign to extend Holiday Park occupancy by raising the debate in Parliament on Thursday 16th December to encourage the Government to amend Planning Guidance through the new Localism Bill.

To support his argument Mr Henderson raised the case of the residents of Parkland Village, in Minster, who are being forced from their homes for two months because of restrictive planning regulations.

The Government intends to bring all Residential Home Park licensing and leasing under the protection of the Residential Property Tribunal Service so as to give Park Home owners and tenants the same security of tenure as those in normal homes under the Housing Act 2004.

Following pressure from Holiday Park owners and operators on Sheppey plus retail and leisure traders in Leysdown, Swale Borough Council’s Planning Service Head, James Freeman, held a meeting of all interested parties at Swale House on Thursday 9th December to discuss the issue.

The meeting was well attended by some 54 representatives and a sub-committee was formed to take discussions forward with the Council. It is hoped a new occupation period of 10 months rather than 8 months can be agreed by the Council in time for next year’s seasonal period.

Mr Henderson said,

“I want to see a more flexible and logical planning regime with regards to park homes.

“If properties are of a high enough standard then I see no reason why they should not be occupied for 10 months of the year, and in some cases all year round.

“I am also keen to see some of the excess capacity in our holiday home sector converted into affordable residential homes to help ease our current housing shortage.”

CLICK HERE FOR GORDON HENDERSON'S SPEECH!