by Joe Jeffrey
Petition urges Lincolnshire caravan parks to think again about opening hours
A petition has been started in an attempt to extend opening times for caravan parks on the Lincolnshire coast.
Avid caravanner, Neville Allen, who owns a caravan in the coastal village of Ingoldmells started the petition because he claims he and other caravanners are losing out due to the restricted times they are allowed entry to the sites, including winter months when many parks are closed, often up to five months of the year.
Allen also highlighted the fact that many Lincolnshire towns were becoming deserted and like ghost towns over the winter months, with a greater risk of crime owing to the closure of many of the parks.
He said: “Many of these caravans have cost a small fortune to purchase and establish, with the majority of this money spent within the local economy.
“Year on year the site fees increase yet the owners of these caravans are forced to abandon their investment at some time between mid-October and mid-January until sometime in early March. This is no longer acceptable in today’s society.”
Since the petition was introduced, East Lindsey District Council has said it has held talks with the Environment Agency and did not want to encourage people staying at facilities which presented flood risks during the winter months.
Cllr Richard Fry, portfolio holder for planning at the council, said: “Historically, a small number of caravan sites have been granted planning approval for all year round occupation, however, in recent years, given the issue the coast faces around flood risk the council no longer allows sites to have all year occupation licences.
“Whilst the council supports growth in the tourism industry, particularly outside the main holiday season, it has to be done in such a way that it is safe and doesn’t put more people into the area of the flood risk at the time of the year when flood surges will occur on our stretch of the coast,” Fry continued.
To sign the petition, which has already attracted over 600 signatures, click here.
