Dear Ms Chapman,

we are the owners of Henstent Park in Llangynog, Powys.  This is a holiday and touring park providing 25 pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes and 41 pitches for static holiday homes.

I write in response to the consultation on the Holiday Caravan Sites (Wales) Bill. My trade association, BH&HPA has responded on behalf of all members and I endorse their evidence - on this link - to you.

The bill is a re-hashed version of the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013, the full implications of which are still to be known.  This ‘quick fix’ is not the solution for the holiday sector.  A new bill, built from the ground up by someone with extensive knowledge of the industry is the only way forward with this, should a bill actually be needed at all.

The number of people residing in caravans in Wales is relatively small, estimated around 2,600 people.  Whilst we agree that it is a problem for a very small area of Wales, it is not a huge, over-riding problem throughout Wales that needs a bill to re-dress.  The area where residing in caravans has become a problem could be approached locally between parks and their local authority.  This bill is a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Henstent Park categorically does not have anyone living in caravans.  We do not allow nor condone people living in caravans.  We make this absolutely clear to all potential and actual purchasers.  As responsible owners, we also keep a log of bed nights to identify any potential problems before they occur.  The outcome is that all of our customers are bone fide holidaymakers.  We achieve this without the need for a bill that disproportionately burdens and complicates our business.

During an interview with the BH&HPA’s National Chairman, Huw Pendleton, Mr Millar was asked "What do you do with 2,500-3,000 people who are not going to have anywhere to live?” .  His response was ” The local authority would have to look at individual circumstances and agree a plan of action”  In other words, "I don’t know, that’s someone else’s problem.”  Before opening this can of worms, a suitable strategy needs to be put in place to deal with its consequences.  Without this mechanism, there is little point forcing through a bill which cannot address what it purports to resolve.

I ask please that you ensure my park business is not placed at competitive disadvantage, jeopardising the direct and indirect employment we sustain.

Yours sincerely,

Mr and Mrs Morris

Henstent Park