Sell your house - buy a caravan

Debt_Free_Chick

And finally (sorry - couldn't sleep in this heat/humidity).... where there are park home/caravan sites in the countryside - which have planning permission - they normally do not allow you to occupy them permanently. Usually, the planning permission only allows occupation for x months of the year. They are intended to be "holiday" homes.

I'll shut up now!

seven-day-weekend

I too, having worked for a Local Planning Authority, would like details of the 'loophole'.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

I for one would like the OP to give clear and explicit details of how I can rent a corner of my friend's paddock and site a park home/mobile home/wood chalet/shed or shack on it that I may live in without interference from anyone or any authority for as long as I wish. The paddock is in the Lake District.

I'm sure my friend would also be grateful for instructions as to how he can diversify from poverty level farming and become rich by starting up a holiday caravan park on his land.

Debt_Free_Chick

Dora_the_Explorer wrote:

I'm sure my friend would also be grateful for instructions as to how he can diversify from poverty level farming and become rich by starting up a holiday caravan park on his land.

Dora ... the irony in your post did not pass me by, but in case he (she?) really is serious about this, then his first port of call should the Planning Authority. The planning system is sympathetic to the diversification of farming and this includes development of tourism.

He may find Planning Policy 7 - Sustainable Development in Rural Areas useful and Defra's Planning guide for Farmers useful.

If he's a member of the NFU and/or the CLA they will probably help too.

Of course, even development of tourism is limited. If it is deemed that there is little demand for holiday accommodation or if there is already sufficient to meet demand, then he may well find it's not an option. I sympathise. I too live in a rural area where farming is on its knees. We have similar problems with caravans etc .... being in an AONB (as is the Lake District) presents even more planning regulation!

Hope the above is helpful - though he is probably aware of it.

margaretclare

Debt_Free_Chick wrote:

And finally (sorry - couldn't sleep in this heat/humidity).... where there are park home/caravan sites in the countryside - which have planning permission - they normally do not allow you to occupy them permanently. Usually, the planning permission only allows occupation for x months of the year. They are intended to be "holiday" homes.

We looked at this type of option about 4 years ago. (We were recommended to look at all possible options before going down the equity release route to pay off the mortgage on our 2-bed bungalow in south Essex). While on holiday in Yorkshire we looked at park homes sites - one of them was on the outskirts of the village where one line of my family comes from. The man we spoke to said people do live there 'permanently', but the site has to be closed for 6 weeks every winter because the regulations say so. He said 'It's not a problem - they all pack up and go to Spain for those weeks in the winter, they're quite happy about it'.

Well, I was not happy about it. It's one thing to go to Spain for the winter if that's what you choose to do, but being forced to do it, and to leave all your possessions behind in your 'home' which was closed to you for the specified time, is something I would NOT like! Especially as I know the place well. It's on the banks of the River Ure and to my certain knowledge, it floods most winters.

Having said all that, if this idea really grabs you then look at this: http://www.tingdene.co.uk/

We looked at this as well - there's a site near us that Tingdene have taken over and are developing. It's not as cheap an option as it appears at first glance.

Margaret Clare

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Thanks DFW, nowt my friend can do because of the location of the farm. Can't even get permission for a couple of holiday caravans as the powers that be put picturesque landscape and mediaeval farming practice before anything else because that's what pulls in trippers. Rural poverty is well researched and described but sadly never addressed.

Debt_Free_Chick

Dora_the_Explorer wrote:

Thanks DFW, nowt my friend can do because of the location of the farm. Can't even get permission for a couple of holiday caravans as the powers that be put picturesque landscape and mediaeval farming practice before anything else because that's what pulls in trippers. Rural poverty is well researched and described but sadly never addressed.

Understand exactly what you mean. I'm in an AONB too (High Weald).

One of our Farmers has managed to get permission for a 5 pitch touring caravan site - which is pretty amazing when you read the next bit.

However, the field has absolutely no facilities. So they applied to build a traditional cartshed building for loos & showers - and a very nice looking building it was too. They also said that they would screen the building by planting native, local trees & hedgerows (more sloes!!).

But they were turned down. Why? Because it would be on the ridge and therefore visible from the opposite side of the valley and would spoil the view! Bear in mind they were going to plant screening. Bear in mind that the caravans are already visible, when on site! :mad:

So ... we are the "proud" hosts to visitors, whom we invite to spend money in our local farm shops, stores & pubs ... but can offer them not even the most basic sanitary facilities :mad:

westernpromise

Prudent wrote:

By contrast my parents, who were mainly resident abroad, had a static caravan on a tranquil site near a small town in S w England. It was idyllic. They had virtually no maintenance, someone at reception who would take in parcels/ deliveries etc. Neighbours both sides only used their caravans odd weekends.

But the neighbours were all !!!!!!.

westernpromise

Xbigman wrote:

If you want to downgrade and be mortgage free, live a simpler lifestyle and have a bit of privacy AND be comfortable then a DIY park home or static is an option.

As indeed would a ten-stretch in Ford Open Prison. And there wouldn't be so many !!!!!!.

manhattan

westernpromise wrote:

And there wouldn't be so many !!!!!!.

im not too sure about that lol