Latest news with #CaravanandMotorhomeClub
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
We're being forced to rip down our entire holiday park after splashing our life savings… but we have one last hope
The pair sold three properties to buy the site HOL NO We're being forced to rip down our entire holiday park after splashing our life savings… but we have one last hope A COUPLE have been ordered to tear down the holiday park they invested their life savings into - but they have one final hope. Bonnie Fisher, 53, and Shane O'Neill had previously dreamed of an idyllic retirement complete with their own glamping site. 6 The council said the site was largely unauthorised Credit: WNS 6 It features three glamping pods which could be torn down Credit: WNS 6 Bonnie Fisher, 53, is determined to keep the campsite Credit: WNS 6 Shane O'Neill and Bonnie built a new reception area and toilet and shower block Credit: WNS The couple spent their life savings on the project four years ago. They both sold their homes, as well as a jointly-owned cottage they had renovated, to buy the farmhouse and campsite in the country in Llangain, near Carmarthen, Wales. The site has certification by the Caravan and Motorhome Club for five caravans, motorhomes or trailer tents. It later expanded to include three glamping pods before the couple bought the site - and currently has 29 pitches. Parts of the site needed significant work, as the pair replaced a toilet and shower block, in addition to constructing a new reception building. This cost thousands on top of the initial purchasing cost. However, the council has now ordered the couple to tear down the buildings, as well as the glamping pods. It claimed that the site "was largely unauthorised". The couple, who live in the farmhouse, could be forced to close Church House Farm Getaways as a result. Bonnie, a nurse who runs a private aesthetics clinic, said: "This is our retirement project. We sold my house, we sold Shane's house, and we sold a jointly-owned cottage which we'd renovated to buy this place. Shocking moment mob beats up Brit tourist after he 'ploughs into woman while pulling wheelie on motorbike' in Thailand "We've got no plans to enlarge it. Visitors always get a good welcome. We like to see people come and enjoy themselves." Carmarthenshire Council previously refused a planning application in 2006 for 30 touring pitches and a toilet and shower block due to highway safety. It had previously granted temporary permission for a portable toilet block for two years in 2004. Bonnie and Shane said they were unaware the new shower block and reception building required planning permission. They then applied retrospectively, but this was denied by the council who said that the site was largely unauthorised. A further application for a certificate of lawfulness for the three glamping pods was also refused. In March of this year, an enforcement notice ordered the couple to remove the glamping pods, toilet and shower block, and reception building. They were also ordered to stop using the land as a caravan and campsite. An exemption was made for the area that had been certified by the Caravan and Motorhome Club. While the couple did acknowledge to the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales that a planning breach had occurred, they argued that the site expansion could be lawful because it had been there so long. Their agents urged the planning inspector to extend the three-month deadline so that they could draw up a certificate of lawfulness application or other planning applications to the council. But the inspector turned the appeal down saying that extending it to 12 months "would considerably prolong the identified public harm". In the hopes of keeping their beloved site, their planning agents are submitting a certificate of lawfulness application to the council arguing that it is in keeping with its historic wider use. This could help ensure that the toilet and shower block, reception building and glamping pods remain. Bonnie said: "We would appeal it. If that decision was upheld we would have to close it (the site) down." The site has won awards in recent years while some neighbours have backed the couple to say the site was well run, an asset to Carmarthenshire, and that steps were taken to ensure a free flow of traffic when caravans arrived. Bonnie said a council tourism officer visited the site and estimated it was worth £2.6 million in visitor spend to the wider economy. A council spokeswoman said: "As the local planning authority, Carmarthenshire Council does not condone unauthorised development and will use its full range of powers to seek to regularise development in the public interest." 6 The site has won several awards and received good reviews from visitors Credit: WNS
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
We're being forced to rip down our entire holiday park after splashing our life savings… but we have one last hope
The pair sold three properties to buy the site HOL NO We're being forced to rip down our entire holiday park after splashing our life savings… but we have one last hope Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COUPLE have been ordered to tear down the holiday park they invested their life savings into - but they have one final hope. Bonnie Fisher, 53, and Shane O'Neill had previously dreamed of an idyllic retirement complete with their own glamping site. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The council said the site was largely unauthorised Credit: WNS 6 It features three glamping pods which could be torn down Credit: WNS 6 Bonnie Fisher, 53, is determined to keep the campsite Credit: WNS 6 Shane O'Neill and Bonnie built a new reception area and toilet and shower block Credit: WNS The couple spent their life savings on the project four years ago. They both sold their homes, as well as a jointly-owned cottage they had renovated, to buy the farmhouse and campsite in the country in Llangain, near Carmarthen, Wales. The site has certification by the Caravan and Motorhome Club for five caravans, motorhomes or trailer tents. It later expanded to include three glamping pods before the couple bought the site - and currently has 29 pitches. Parts of the site needed significant work, as the pair replaced a toilet and shower block, in addition to constructing a new reception building. This cost thousands on top of the initial purchasing cost. However, the council has now ordered the couple to tear down the buildings, as well as the glamping pods. It claimed that the site "was largely unauthorised". The couple, who live in the farmhouse, could be forced to close Church House Farm Getaways as a result. Bonnie, a nurse who runs a private aesthetics clinic, said: "This is our retirement project. We sold my house, we sold Shane's house, and we sold a jointly-owned cottage which we'd renovated to buy this place. Shocking moment mob beats up Brit tourist after he 'ploughs into woman while pulling wheelie on motorbike' in Thailand "We've got no plans to enlarge it. Visitors always get a good welcome. We like to see people come and enjoy themselves." Carmarthenshire Council previously refused a planning application in 2006 for 30 touring pitches and a toilet and shower block due to highway safety. It had previously granted temporary permission for a portable toilet block for two years in 2004. Bonnie and Shane said they were unaware the new shower block and reception building required planning permission. They then applied retrospectively, but this was denied by the council who said that the site was largely unauthorised. A further application for a certificate of lawfulness for the three glamping pods was also refused. In March of this year, an enforcement notice ordered the couple to remove the glamping pods, toilet and shower block, and reception building. They were also ordered to stop using the land as a caravan and campsite. An exemption was made for the area that had been certified by the Caravan and Motorhome Club. While the couple did acknowledge to the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales that a planning breach had occurred, they argued that the site expansion could be lawful because it had been there so long. Their agents urged the planning inspector to extend the three-month deadline so that they could draw up a certificate of lawfulness application or other planning applications to the council. But the inspector turned the appeal down saying that extending it to 12 months "would considerably prolong the identified public harm". In the hopes of keeping their beloved site, their planning agents are submitting a certificate of lawfulness application to the council arguing that it is in keeping with its historic wider use. This could help ensure that the toilet and shower block, reception building and glamping pods remain. Bonnie said: "We would appeal it. If that decision was upheld we would have to close it (the site) down." The site has won awards in recent years while some neighbours have backed the couple to say the site was well run, an asset to Carmarthenshire, and that steps were taken to ensure a free flow of traffic when caravans arrived. Bonnie said a council tourism officer visited the site and estimated it was worth £2.6 million in visitor spend to the wider economy. A council spokeswoman said: "As the local planning authority, Carmarthenshire Council does not condone unauthorised development and will use its full range of powers to seek to regularise development in the public interest." 6 The site has won several awards and received good reviews from visitors Credit: WNS
Scottish Sun
15-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
The 7 cheapest caravan sites for a week's family holiday – including gorgeous beach stay from £11 a night
SUMMER is now in full swing, and there are plenty of budget friendly ways to enjoy holidays in the sun. Camping and caravaning may not sound as glamorous as jetting off on a long haul flight, but its a great way to see the beautiful British countryside, at a purse friendly price. 8 The Caravan and Motorhome club has plenty of budget friendly sites for penny pinching families Credit: Getty And with the Met Office predicting that this summer is set to be a scorcher, there's no need to leave to the British Isles to get your fix of Vitamin D. The Caravan and Motorhome Club has provided a list of their seven best campsites, where members can stay for £16.50 or less per night. Aberbran Club Campsite Aberbran Club Campsite is the perfect retreat for nature lovers, and is ideally location in the Brecon Beacons national park in Wales. The dog friendly site is a renovated old railway station and promises a "no nonsense, simple and relaxing holiday". 8 Aberbran Club Campsite is located in the Brecon Beacons Credit: Facebook Reviewers have flooded the site with positive reviews, with one person calling it an "oasis of peace", and another commenting that they enjoyed it so much they stayed for an extra week. A caravan or motorhome pitch costs from £15.50 per night for one adult or £21 per night for two adults, for caravan club members. For non-members, one adult costs £29.80 per night and two adults cost £35.30. Children under five are free, whilst kids from five to 17 costs just £1, regardless of whether their parents are members. For a family of four (two adults and two children over five) seven days at the site will cost you from £161. Altnaharra Club Campsite Altnaharra Club Campsite, located in the Scottish Highlands is a haven for birdwatchers, anglers and walkers, keen to immerse themselves in unspoilt nature. 8 Altnaharra Club Campsite is located in the Scottish Highlands Credit: Facebook The 24 caravan site is 20 miles away from the nearest shop so its perfect for those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Scots holiday park named one of best in world One caravan lover said that the staff treated them "as friends", whilst another commented that on a clear day, the night sky is "amazing". The price for a touring pitch for one adult is just £13.80 a night, and £19.30 for two adults. Non-members can enjoy the campsite for £28.80 for one adult, or £34.30 for two adults. Like the other sites listed, children under five are free, whilst kids from five to 17 costs just £1, regardless of whether their parents are members. How much does it cost to be a Caravan and Motorhome Club member The annual fee for a family to join the Caravan and Motorhome Club is typically £66. This covers two adults, and any children under 18. Unless you pay by direct debit there is an additional £10 joining fee and additional family members over 18 years old cost an extra £10. Members get access to over 2,700 campsites in the UK and Europe, as well as discounts at club campsites A family of four can spend a week at the site for just £149. Bourton-on-the-Water Club Campsite Bourton-on-the-Water Club Campsite is nestled within the gorgeous Cotswolds, graded as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It's just five miles from the quaint village of Bourton-on-the-water, which is filled with chocolate box cottages and idyllic cafes. 8 Bourton on the Water Club Campsite can be found in the quaint Cotswolds Credit: Facebook One member said that the site is perfect for dog walks, whilst another was delighted by its proximity to many Cotswolds villages. Member prices start from £15.50 for one adult and £22 for two adults. Non-members can pitch up for £30.50 for one adult and £37 for two adults. As with the other sites, under fives are free, and five to 17 year olds stay for £1. For a family of four to spend a week on the campsite, it will cost as little as £161. Clachan Club Campsite Clachan Club Campsite, situated in Stirling, Scotland, is tucked away in a glorious woodland, filled with wildlife and stunning wildflowers. The site is made for hiking fans, as it a located amongst the glens, mountains and lochs of the central highlands. 8 Clachan Club Campsite is perfect for nature lovers Credit: Facebook One reviewer raved about the efficiency of the site's efficient automated check in, whilst another was extremely impressed by the cleanliness of the facilities. Prices start from just £11 for one adult and £22 for two adults for members, whilst non-members can pitch up for £26 for one adult and £37 for two adults. As with the above sites, kids under five are free and five to 17 year olds cost £1. A family of four can stay at the pitch for a week for as little as £168. Ilminster Club Campsite Ilminster Club Campsite in Chard, Somerset is a great base to explore the natural beauty of Devon, Dorset and Somerset. Lyme Regis is just a stone's throw away from the site, and bird watchers will love the nature reserve at Chard Resevoir. 8 Ilminster Club Campsite is perfect for those wanting to visit Lyme Regis Credit: Facebook One caravan user loved the site so much she stayed there for three months, whilst another remarked that the park is perfectly situated off the A303. Pitches start from £15.50 for members and £30.50 for non members, with the same prices applying for children as with the other sites. A family of four can stay at the pitch for a week for as little as £168. Plymouth Sound Club Campsite Plymouth Sound Club Campsite in Devon offers stunning sea views, and is perfectly located close to an abundance of stunning beaches. Situated near to the bustling city of Plymouth, caravan lovers can enjoy a visit to The National Marine Aquarium and the historic dockyard. 8 Plymouth Sound Club Campsite in Devon offers stunning sea view Credit: Facebook One customer was delighted by the caravan site's proximity to pubs, shops and public transport, whilst another marvelled that the site is extremely spacious, and packed with wildflowers. Pitches start from £11 for members and £26 for for non-members, and the same prices apply to kids as with the other site mentioned above. A family of four can stay at the pitch for a week for as little as £168. Slinfold Club Campsite Slinfold Club Campsite, in Horsham, West Sussex is a hidden gem nestled at the end of a country lane. The nearby village of Slinfold hosts fete and flower festivals, with visitors treated to warm welcomes from locals. 8 Slinfold Club Campsite, in Horsham, West Sussex is a hidden gem Credit: Facebook One caravan owner marvelled at the campsites easy access to the Downs Link Pathway, which is perfect for cycling and dog walking, whilst another said that staff were eager to help them set up. This campsite is only open to members and is priced at £15.50 per night for one adult, or £21 per night for two adults. A family of four can enjoy a week's stay from just £161.
The Irish Sun
15-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
The 7 cheapest caravan sites for a week's family holiday – including gorgeous beach stay from £11 a night
SUMMER is now in full swing, and there are plenty of budget friendly ways to enjoy holidays in the sun. Camping and caravaning may not sound as glamorous as jetting off on a Advertisement 8 The Caravan and Motorhome club has plenty of budget friendly sites for penny pinching families Credit: Getty And with the The Aberbran Club Campsite The dog friendly site is a renovated old railway station and promises a "no nonsense, simple and relaxing holiday". Advertisement Read more travel stories 8 Aberbran Club Campsite is located in the Brecon Beacons Credit: Facebook Reviewers have flooded the site with positive reviews, with one person calling it an " oasis of peace", and another commenting that they enjoyed it so much they stayed for an extra week. A caravan or motorhome pitch costs from £15.50 per night for one adult or £21 per night for two adults, for caravan club members. For non-members, one adult costs £29.80 per night and two adults cost £35.30. Advertisement Children under five are free, whilst kids from five to 17 costs just £1, regardless of whether their parents are members. Most read in News Travel For a family of four (two adults and two children over five) seven days at the site will cost you from £161. Altnaharra Club Campsite 8 Altnaharra Club Campsite is located in the Scottish Highlands Credit: Facebook Advertisement The 24 caravan site is 20 miles away from the nearest shop so its perfect for those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Scots holiday park named one of best in world One caravan lover said that the staff treated them "as friends", whilst another commented that on a clear day, the night sky is "amazing". The price for a touring pitch for one adult is just £13.80 a night, and £19.30 for two adults. Non-members can enjoy the campsite for £28.80 for one adult, or £34.30 for two adults. Advertisement Like the other sites listed, children under five are free, whilst kids from five to 17 costs just £1, regardless of whether their parents are members. How much does it cost to be a Caravan and Motorhome Club member The annual fee for a family to join the Caravan and Motorhome Club is typically £66. This covers two adults, and any children under 18. Unless you pay by direct debit there is an additional £10 joining fee and additional family members over 18 years old cost an extra £10. Members get access to over 2,700 campsites in the UK and Europe, as well as discounts at club campsites A family of four can spend a week at the site for just £149. Bourton-on-the-Water Club Campsite It's just five miles from the quaint village of Bourton-on-the-water, which is filled with chocolate box cottages and idyllic cafes. Advertisement 8 Bourton on the Water Club Campsite can be found in the quaint Cotswolds Credit: Facebook One member said that the site is perfect for dog walks, whilst another was delighted by its proximity to many Cotswolds villages. Member prices start from £15.50 for one adult and £22 for two adults. Non-members can pitch up for £30.50 for one adult and £37 for two adults. Advertisement As with the other sites, under fives are free, and five to 17 year olds stay for £1. For a family of four to spend a week on the campsite, it will cost as little as £161. Clachan Club Campsite The site is made for hiking fans, as it a located amongst the glens, mountains and lochs of the central highlands. Advertisement 8 Clachan Club Campsite is perfect for nature lovers Credit: Facebook One reviewer raved about the efficiency of the site's efficient automated check in, whilst another was extremely impressed by the cleanliness of the facilities. Prices start from just £11 for one adult and £22 for two adults for members, whilst non-members can pitch up for £26 for one adult and £37 for two adults. As with the above sites, kids under five are free and five to 17 year olds cost £1. Advertisement A family of four can stay at the pitch for a week for as little as £168. Ilminster Club Campsite Lyme Regis is just a stone's throw away from the site, and bird watchers will love the nature reserve at Chard Resevoir. 8 Ilminster Club Campsite is perfect for those wanting to visit Lyme Regis Credit: Facebook Advertisement One caravan user loved the site so much she stayed there for three months, whilst another remarked that the park is perfectly situated off the A303. Pitches start from £15.50 for members and £30.50 for non members, with the same prices applying for children as with the other sites. A family of four can stay at the pitch for a week for as little as £168. Plymouth Sound Club Campsite Advertisement Situated near to the bustling city of Plymouth, caravan lovers can enjoy a visit to The National Marine Aquarium and the historic dockyard. 8 Plymouth Sound Club Campsite in Devon offers stunning sea view Credit: Facebook One customer was delighted by the caravan site's proximity to pubs, shops and public transport, whilst another marvelled that the site is extremely spacious, and packed with wildflowers. Pitches start from £11 for members and £26 for for non-members, and the same prices apply to kids as with the other site mentioned above. Advertisement A family of four can stay at the pitch for a week for as little as £168. Slinfold Club Campsite The nearby village of Slinfold hosts fete and flower festivals, with visitors treated to warm welcomes from locals. 8 Slinfold Club Campsite, in Horsham, West Sussex is a hidden gem Credit: Facebook Advertisement One caravan owner marvelled at the campsites easy access to the Downs Link Pathway, which is perfect for cycling and dog walking, whilst another said that staff were eager to help them set up. This campsite is only open to members and is priced at £15.50 per night for one adult, or £21 per night for two adults. A family of four can enjoy a week's stay from just £161.
Telegraph
19-04-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Britain's long obsession with caravan holidays
It's not the vehicle you may expect to be associated with royalty, but the humble caravan is getting its moment in the spotlight, thanks to the 70th anniversary of a special version gifted to Prince Charles and Princess Anne in 1955. The Royal Caravan – a fully functional, scaled-down caravan – was built in 1955 by Rollalong Caravans Limited in Ringwood, Hampshire as a gift from the Caravan and Motorhome Club to the young royal siblings. It was presented to them in recognition of the Duke of Edinburgh's patronage of the Club, which began in 1952. Now, a special showcase at the National Motor Museum in Hampshire will mark the 70th anniversary of the miniature home on wheels – and with it, the nation's enduring passion for caravan holidays. More than a toy Measuring 6ft 9ins long and 5ft 9ins high, the Royal Caravan was more than a toy. Designed to be roadworthy, it featured working interior lights, a sink with hand pump and road-legal fittings, including a hitch, brakes, and corner steadies. As well as custom furnishings, it included a Poole Pottery tea set, Beatrix Potter books, and a signed copy of Children of the New Forest by Captain Marryat. It had a wooden hob instead of a working stove for safety reasons, but came with a kettle and frying pan to play with. Originally, the caravan was towed around the grounds of Buckingham Palace by a specially-modified Hillman Husky from the royal fleet, with the Duke of Edinburgh personally taking his children on a test tow. After it was outgrown by Prince Charles and Princess Anne, the caravan was stored at Sandringham, then restored for the Caravan and Motorhome Club's 75th anniversary in 1982, then again for its centenary. It has been displayed several times, including at Buckingham Palace, and since 2016 has been permanently housed at the National Motor Museum. 'This exhibition is a celebration of both royal history and caravanning history,' said Sara Riccabone, curator of the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection. 'The Royal Caravan is a fascinating piece of craftsmanship and a testament to the enduring appeal of caravanning.' Enduring appeal That enduring appeal arguably lies in the caravan's universal accessibility to the British public. While horse-drawn caravans were used as homes on wheels as far back as the early 19th century, according to the Historic Caravan Club, it's generally accepted that the first leisure caravan was Wanderer – a purpose-built design built around 1880 by the Bristol Carriage Company for Dr. W. Gordon-Stables, who went on to become the first president of the Caravan Club when it was founded in 1907. According to historian Andrew Jenkinson, after the First World War, a Birmingham father-and-son team 'saw the future of caravanning with cars', building the first commercial touring caravan, the Eccles car-pulled caravan, in 1919. While early caravans were initially the preserve of the rich, in the 1930s a rise in middle-class car owners also led to an increase in the number of caravan owners, sparking growth in the holiday industry. According to the Caravan and Motorhome Club, in the 1950s, when there was an increase in the popularity of caravanning, there were around 3,000 new caravans manufactured each year. Fast forward to the 21st century and the caravan's popularity appears to have endured, with an estimated 500,000 to 555,000 on the road today. In 2022 research carried out for the club by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) found the number of Britons considering a touring holiday had grown by 20 per cent in the two years to April 2022, while research by Mintel found that 47 per cent of UK adults went on a camping or caravanning holiday in the last three years. And according to touring caravan bookings are up 21 per cent so far this year, versus last year, with 14 per cent of pitch bookings in the past 12 months for touring caravans specifically. 'Most of those taking a trip in a touring caravan tend to be either older couples aged 50-plus, or families,' said founder Dan Yates. 'We see younger couples favouring campervans and roof-mounted tents, although it's fair to assume that many will grow into a full touring caravan in due course.' A more affordable option There has certainly been a trend towards campervans and motorhomes in recent years, but it's fair to say a traditional touring caravan remains a potentially more financially-accessible option – with prices closer to £15,000 for a new purchase compared to £60,00 for a brand new campervan. According to the Caravan and Motorhome Club, while a top-of-the-range caravan could cost £50,000-plus, you could buy a good secondhand caravan 'for no more than the cost of one or two family package holidays'. On top of that, the uptick in renting or 'subscribing' to a caravan rather than purchasing one outright means some people might be getting involved without buying one, suggests accountancy firm PKF Smith Cooper. And while affordability might be a factor in encouraging people to choose a caravan over a 'cooler' campervan, so too is nostalgia. As a campervan owner myself, I have fond memories of childhood caravan holidays with my best friend's family, and plenty of celebrities share that joy. ITV's Lorraine Kelly is said to be a caravan lover, as is Warwick Davis, while Cold Feet star Helen Baxendale previously said: 'I just love the feeling of 'We're off!' I had a lot of caravanning holidays when I was young with my parents and have very happy memories, and this is me trying to replicate that.' The most popular places for caravanning 'On a practical level, touring caravans are an easy solution for those who like to explore the UK often through multiple short breaks,' said Yates. 'They're also – bar the initial investment – a really cost-effective solution, with pitch costs from as little as £9 per night.' The obvious choices for a caravan holiday might be the seaside, but according to the central region is overtaking the South West in popularity, 'partly to avoid the crowds (and narrow lanes) of the south west, but also because it's home to the largest number of sites rated a full 10/10 by past Pitchup guests', he added. 'The key factors that our customers regularly highlight for an enjoyable touring caravan stay include level, serviced pitches, good access routes around the site and well-kept shared amenities, as well as a peaceful atmosphere.' The caravan may have started its life as a toy for the rich, and a gift for royals, but this much-loved British institution has cemented its place as a holiday home-from-home for people from all backgrounds, with no sign of the nation's love affair ending anytime soon.
