AM discusses ‘trailer park ghettos’ with housing minister in Towyn

Mar 11 2010 by Ian Hughes, North Wales Weekly News

DOCTORS’ surgeries in Conwy are being flooded with patients living illegally on caravan parks, statistics have revealed.

Figures show that around 7,000 more people were registered with GPs in Conwy and Denbighshire than official populations statistics for these counties.

AM for Clwyd West Darren Millar met to discuss the problem with deputy housing minister Jocelyn Davies. He warned of a slippery slope towards what he called “trailer park ghettos”.

“The majority of park owners are responsible people who manage their parks well, but the deputy minister has agreed to consider improving the regulation of the caravan industry to provide extra safeguards against this problem and to ensure that unscrupulous park owners do not go unpunished when they break the rules,” he said.

“Local authorities also have a duty to enforce against parks where they do not take their responsibilities seriously. They must do a better job if we are to see this problem resolved.”

Mr Millar also expressed concerns about the adverse effect this problem may have on tourism.

“North Wales has some of the best holiday parks in the country. Tourism is the bread and butter of the North Wales economy.

“It is crucial we do not allow the industry to decline and that people do not see holiday parks as a low cost solution to their housing needs.”

The AM also stated further examples of issues caused by the caravan parks’ permanent residents.

Conwy and Denbighshire councils have identified people living on caravan parks and sending their children to school, claiming housing benefit and receiving support from social services.

They also confirmed that hundreds of people using free bus passes cited caravans as their main address.

The issue was first raised by Mr Millar in October last year. He voiced fears that such parks could become a feature in Conwy as those who can’t afford to get on the housing ladder will flock to the promise of cheap seaside accommodation.

At present many caravans across Conwy have only 10-month licences to control the period those living in mobile homes can stay.

While some older parks already have permission for 12-month occupancy, there has been an upsurge in applications requesting year-round licences.

ian.hughes