Considering re-opening a old CL

Hi PeetC 
I run a off-grid CL and you are welcome to visit to have a look and a chat. (do contact me though as access gate has code lock) Site is Newton Grove CL it is a countryside site on the edge of the beautiful village of South Newington in North Oxfordshire (North Cotswolds) in its 6th year.
There are around 2168 diverse CLs in the CAMC network, so room for more 

True enough, peedee, but as a regular user of CLs we find that the vast majority of owners keep them open all through their season, and should they go away will have someone to look after the site in their absence.

Hello Pete

Great news that you are considering setting the CL back up.

For your information there is a very active and helpful Owners Group that you would be welcome to join and ask advice from.  We now have around 600 members.

Please see www.clsiteowners.co.uk

A condition of being a member is that you are an open CAMC Cl.  However, there are a number of members very happy to offer advice to those 'on the journey' to opening.

Whilst the views of Members being expressed in this forum is extremely constructive and helpful, you might also want to seek the advice of those (like myself) who run CLs.

Best  wishes for your plans

Ted

If this is called The Willows we used it on several occasions as an overnight stop to the South West and used the Bluebell for a meal. We always said we would go back for longer and low and behold when we did it had closed. It was mentioned on here at the time as being a sad loss. 

There is another cl down the road in the village of Ripple called Furlong Farm who might be willing to give advice.

Hopefully you will open up and we can again visit.

Thanks again to all who have responded and to those that have offered other routes to advice.

@harryb - yes, this is The Willows that you mentioned.

We're still contemplating our next moves.  We have a lot of other stuff to do in and around the old site - with the house and gardens - anyway, so this may not be a quick decision - and whatever we do do we'd want to do it in the right way.

@Ted - I had a quick look at the owners group.  As you point out, it checks that I have an open and registered site.  To that end, I guess I can't actually join the facebook page?  I would be interested in a few discussions - i have questions on insurance, facility provision and "rules" that I'd like advice on... any insight (in-site??? :) ) appreciated...

We have stayed on this CL previously and a nice site.  The only hassle was that the owner had stables and at times the access road would be blocked by a vehicle parked there.  Not really an issue if you are not towing.

Elsan point etc are all in place and taps on each pitch.  Hedge was always looking a bit over grown and even it is twice as over grown on issue. 

Weeds are not a big deal however if they are not cut and the grass is n to cut that may make it unpleasant.  If cutting the grass use a mower that collects the cuttings as nothing worse than tramping grass cuttings into a caravan.

I cannot recall if they stayed open all winter.  I think it was about £12-£14 a night.  Good over night stop if travelling on the M5.

Unfortunately as we live in Malvern and store the caravan in Malvern, so we probably would not use the site. I would say go for it and if you want any hands on input, as we go past there virtually every Saturday on the way to Tewkesbury market, we would not mind popping in for an hour or two.

We can only give you advice and it is then your decision, but previously that site enjoyed good occupancy.

I had a quick look at the owners group. As you point out, it checks that I have an open and registered site. To that end, I guess I can't actually join the facebook page? 

There is no harm in contacting them as somebody considering opening a previous site. The administrators may will admit you or, if you mention it when contacting, nay be able to offer advice or message nearby owners to ask if they would contact you.

Peet, I suggest that you contact Ted at Cholsey Grange CL, Johnny at Newton Grove CL, and Nicola at Sky Barn CL, as all will be able to give you good advice on running a CL. You could of course just pop around the corner, as it were, and have a word with Ray at Emblem Villa CL, Quay Lane, Earls Crooked, as I'm sure he would help you too.

Not having a toilet is not a deal breaker, but you would need to provide a chemical waste disposal facility of some kind.

As to the state of the hedges, that is subjective.  We camp in a lot of places that are less formal in their presentations, and are quite happy.

There is already a CWDP on the site, so that would not need setting up.