LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 10/17/11 — A capacity audience of 150 park home residents attended the September Park Home Debate event in Poole, Dorset, to hear about the latest developments to reform park home legislation.
Chaired by Towergate Insurance Account Director, Paul Baker, the Debate played host to; MP for mid Dorset and North Poole, Annette Brooke (instigator of the December 2010 Parliamentary Park Homes debate), local Councillor Roger West (park home residents- champion), founder of the Park Home Owners- Justice Campaign and park home resident Sonia McColl and park home legal expert Graham Watts.
In her opening speech, Sonia McColl updated delegates from 40 parks on how the Justice Campaign continues to gain momentum. Over the past six months, thousands of questionnaires were posted to park home residents living in parks across the UK, in order to learn more about the problems they face.
Findings suggest over 20,000 park home residents could be living under the regime of unscrupulous park home site owners, many of whom are reported to be violent, abusive, aggressive and dishonest, and bad practices appear in place in almost half of the country-s parks. These include; bullying, not recognising residents associations, failure to carry out general maintenance tasks and sale blocking.
This is the first time national statistics have been compiled and on 12 October they will be presented to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, Annette Brooke and Lord Graham of Edmonton (a fervent supporter of park home owners). Sonia called upon residents to -spread the word- and join her in London on the 12th.
The results will also be sent to every Westminster MP, the Police, Local Authorities and the media. In addition, MPs are being lobbied to hold a one and a half hour debate to; stop park home owners blocking park home sales, introduce a -fit and proper- person test, overhaul the 1983 Mobile Homes Act and better protect park home owners.
Graham Watts took centre stage to discuss the newly-launched Residential Property Tribunals (RPTs), how they work and their application process.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Roger West outlined how he was championing the cause for park home residents in Bournemouth and cited recent examples, such as; tackling flooding with Wessex Water, getting a park-s electricity supply upgraded, reversing decisions on porch door removal and adopting new site licence conditions to improve a park-s general environment.
Annette Brooke MP praised the roadshows for giving residents a platform to be heard and the opportunity to exchange views, plus applauded the Justice Campaign for what it had achieved so far. She explained how the General Election last year put a halt to legislation introducing a -fit and proper- person test and although RPTs were now in place, the time was right to push for legislative change – when the new Parliamentary Year starts in October.
Delegates were then invited to raise issues of concern with the speakers. Areas covered included; site owners unwilling to share utility cost information, sale commission, the increase in number of bases on a park home site and a plea for caravan owners to be included in future legislation.
Finally, a reminder was given about the Government-funded Consumer Direct organisation setting up a park owner database and contact details were shared. Delegates were also urged to share any problems they were experiencing with their local councillors, via surgeries, or by writing to their local MP.
Commenting on the day, Paul Baker said: “It was a resounding success, given the numbers attending. There is a clear need for debates like this to be held across the country, particularly as people from Kent and Warwickshire travelled to Dorset to find out more. Park home residents must have their voices heard and be treated more fairly by the owners of parks they live on.”
For futher details of the Justice Campaign, visit or phone 01929 553110.
Consumer direct can be contacted on or 08454 040506.
For insurance advice and news on future events visit or or phone 0844 346 0423.
Notes to Editors
Towergate Insurance is a leading provider of – the business has over 40 years experience in the park home and caravan sector – and takes an active role in promoting good practice within the industry. It launched and sponsors the annual Park of the Year competition, sponsors IPHAS, one of the main national residents- associations, set up the Park Home Owners- Club and supports local park home residents- groups across the UK.
It is part of the Towergate Partnership – Europe-s largest independently-owned insurance intermediary offering over 200 specialist insurance products and employing more than 4000 people in 100 offices.
Contacts:
Media Enquiries
Towergate Bakers
Paul Baker
Account Director
07879 846740 (mobile)
Francesca Breeze
Freelance Journalist/PR Consultant
01273 421115 or 07710 963838 (mobile)