Group bids to save caravanners from eviction from popular Whitstable site
A group of caravan owners have started a petition to prevent eviction from a popular caravan park in Whitstable, Kent.
The petition for the prevention of closure of the site, situated behind The Sportsman Pub, which has already received over 450 signatures, comes after the site’s landowner and brewery, Shepherd Neame, made the decision to close the site after 50 years, giving caravanners until 31 August to leave.
News surrounding closure of the site has come as a great shock to frequent visitors to the site who include teachers, nurses, and war veterans, who have utilised the site’s location and facilities for over 50 years, referring to the site as their ‘haven’ and ‘getaway’.
Caravanner and facilitator of the petition, Patrick O’Neill, explained: “This is people’s lives down here; it’s safe and the young and old respect each other and you don’t often see that in today’s society.
“We are like one big family and it’s devastating. There have been endless tears over the past few weeks and some of the elderly residents have not been able to sleep with worry as we don’t know what the future holds for our special community.
“It’s especially heart-breaking for the older people who have had invaluable support from each other here. I’m not sure how they will get on without that,” O’Neill continued.
A statement on behalf of Neame and Harris has since been released saying: “Following a joint review of the existing site, an exciting future is envisaged for the site.
“Representation has been received from the occupants of the caravans, so the brewery is now investigating all the relevant facts in order to establish the positions of all those involved,” it finished.
What do you think of Shepherd Neame’s decision to close the If you would like to sign the petition, click here.
