Caravan owners at an Ayrshire holiday park have been left dismayed after the park owners revealed they plan to increase their site fees by 25 per cent.
Scores of caravan owners at Ardmillan Castle Holiday Park, Girvan, claim they now face the prospect of paying an extra £500 onto their annual site fees next year.
The well established site has been a haven for Ayrshire holiday makers for decades, especially with its 11 months’ license, allowing caravan owners to stay there for the vast majority of the year, with the exception of February.
However, many caravanners now say they cannot afford to pay the increase.
One source said: “The site has increased the site fees by nearly 25 per cent for everyone.
“Many of the residents are old and they have been on the site for years. They can’t afford this and are distressed and will be forced to sell up and have no place to stay. That’s even if they can sell with the fee hikes.”
One caravan owner who was notified by the increase in site fees recently said: “They claimed its rising costs, stating rates have doubled, which is nonsense as they have only gone up 3.5p in the pound.
“The increase will raise an additional £105,000 over the whole site, that’s £500 a pitch!”
Another caravan owner warned that the site fee increase has sparked fury on social media.
They said: “The site owners have turned off the Facebook owners’ forum so no person can complain about it. I am an owner and I can tell you that loads are intending to sell. This will damage the local area as many shops are struggling to stay open as it is.
“The site is not maintained and roads, in parts, are just dirt trails. And the caravan owners have to cut their own grass. The site is badly lit too.
“They are taking the money and if you can’t pay then they take your caravan, or tell you to move to another site, which is impossible. And, as a result, owners will find it hard to sell.”
In a statement from the park owners, they said the price increase was “not taken lightly.”
Their statement continues: “As a family-owned park, we have faced rising operational costs across the board, including increased rates and maintenance fees, which have contributed to the need for this adjustment.
“While we fully understand that price increases can be challenging, we have done our utmost to ensure that our fees remain competitive. In fact, we are proud to be the most affordable in the area, with site fees starting at just £2,555 a year. By comparison, some local parks charge fees starting from £6,125 annually. We also look after our local wildlife and natural environment as part of these costs, which is something we take great pride in.”
To assist owners in managing the change, the park has introduced a £120 early payment discount to make the transition as “smooth as possible.”
Their statement continues: “The decision to raise fees was carefully considered and necessary to ensure the park’s ongoing sustainability.
“Regarding the concerns about park maintenance, we acknowledge that there are areas that need attention. We are committed to addressing these issues in the upcoming season, including improvements to the roads and the installation of new lighting. Our maintenance team already cuts the grass throughout the site, but we ask that owners tend to their individual pitch spaces and gardens within their fenced areas, as this is part of the responsibility when purchasing a caravan.
“We also want to highlight that, unlike some other local parks, Ardmillan Castle does not impose a tenure limit on its caravans. Owners are welcome to keep their vans on the site for as long as they wish, as long as they are well maintained, which offers a unique level of security and peace of mind that is not always available elsewhere.”
The statement goes on: “It is important to make clear that no caravan has ever been removed from the park due to unpaid fees. Our goal is not to push anyone out, and we would never want any of our long-term residents to feel pressured to leave.
“Additionally, our park does not offer amenities such as a pub or a swimming pool, which sets us apart from other local parks. We are proud of the peaceful, serene environment we provide, and many of our residents value this aspect when choosing to stay here.”
The statement adds: “In response to concerns raised on social media, we have had to disable comments on our public forum as the group is intended for informational purposes only. We have a separate, private group for owners to discuss such matters and address any issues directly with us.
“We remain committed to working with our residents to ensure that Ardmillan Castle continues to be a welcoming and well-maintained place for everyone to enjoy.”
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