Residents’ fear of eviction from East Sussex Holiday Village

Holiday-home owners at Crowhurst Park Holiday Village, on Telham Lane, facing fear eviction after rumours surfaced saying they could be kicked out for breach of contract. The word began circulating after residents in neighbouring holiday parks, including Beauport Park and Coghurst Hall, in Hastings, received eviction letters when it was revealed they were living on site permanently, without a second residence elsewhere.

The issue came to light following an investigation by Rother District Council.

The council wrote to residents in holiday parks across the area, telling them they must pay council tax on their holiday homes if they do not pay it on another property – something they were happy to do but which goes against their contract agreement with the holiday parks.

Crowhurst Park Holiday Village did not wish to comment on the issue at this stage.

A spokesman for Rother District Council said: “Over the past few months, officers at Rother District Council, which is responsible for collecting council tax, have been carrying out surveys to confirm council tax is being paid on residents’ primary property. Unfortunately, as a result, some residents have found themselves in breach of the terms and conditions set by the holiday park.

“We are in discussion with the holiday parks and residents affected. Applications for support received by the district council will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.”

A resident at one of the affected Hastings holiday parks, who did not wish to be named, said: “We received a letter from Rother District Council to say we had to pay council tax if we don’t own another property.

“We’re all happy to do that but upon admitting we don’t have another property, we’re facing eviction from the holiday park. We’ve shot ourselves in the foot with our honesty.

“I understand the holiday park has to do what it needs to do in order to keep its licence but our contract states we can live in the caravan for 50 weeks of the year, so long as we vacate it for at least two weeks, which we make sure to do. We just don’t know who to turn to about this.”

Another resident added: “We’re all living in fear of eviction – we’ll be homeless if they kick us out. Between 30 to 50 families have already been evicted and hundreds more have been given eviction letters. We’re so worried our family will be next.”

Crowhurst Park Holiday Village closes for one month of the year in order to refurbish the site. During this time, all residents must leave the site.

Crowhurst Park Holiday Village is situated in an area covered by Rother District Council.

The park has received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence award, which is won by companies that rank in the top 10 per cent worldwide for traveller feedback, as well as a David Bellamy Gold Award for Conservation.

For more information on the site, visit www.crowhurstpark.co.uk.