Increase size of CLs?

The rubble is not a waste in these circumstances, it is recycled aggregate. It's not being tipped so no licence is required. 

I have followed this thread with interest, as due to the rising cost of club sites, I now use CL's almost exclusively. 

I too prefer the more rural atmosphere and the informality and freedom of pitching that the CL allows.

For that reason I react with horror at some previous post which call for hardstandings etc. They would change completely the informality which to many are the real attraction of CL's.

But, the cold hard facts are that the numbers of CL's are reducing, and we have to ask ourselves why?

I have asked several CL owners what the problem is, and they have all said that the limit of 5 vans does not provide a decent return on their investment.

Many members I know - much prefer the basic approach and only want somwhere to get water, and somewhere to empty the toilet cassette.  But today, the vast majority expect an EHU to be provided, and if possible a tap to each pitch.  Now all that costs money, a significant financial investment.  However mitigating against that significant investment, is the reality that the season is short, and that for the larger part of the year the site will be empty or nearly so.  The facts are that, any return on investment  will only come between May and September. However the limit of five vans does not provide the necessary income to cover their costs during that short season.

They understand that the attraction of CL's lies very much in the limited numbers involved, and they are not asking to change that entirely,  but an increase from five to eight, or at the absolute maximum to ten, might provide that the vital profit and loss balance does not remain in the red.

The resultant increase in income during that period,  might reduce the numbers of CL's leaving the network.

TF

The rubble is not a waste in these circumstances, it is recycled aggregate. It's not being tipped so no licence is required. 

Builders rubble is not recycled aggregate, that aside my point is its still a potentially expensive exercise depending on where the nearest suitable power is located by the time you buy the hook up boxes etc

TF, some CL's have eight or more crammed in now. If you increase the limit to eight or ten then the base line increases proportionally, when you get into the mid teens you may as well go to a small non facility site. 

A lot of CL closures may be due to the CL leaving the network and going commercial.

CL'S  know the rules before opening, as such they should surely abide by them....

The rubble is not a waste in these circumstances, it is recycled aggregate. It's not being tipped so no licence is required. 

Builders rubble is not recycled aggregate, that aside my point is its still a potentially expensive exercise depending on where the nearest suitable power is located by the time you buy the hook up boxes etc

Once processed, which may be little more than sorting, it is no longer a waste. If it is being used in this way to substitute for primary aggregate it is not a waste. 

More and more people are asking for hardstandings on all sites(m/vans?) As some drivers do not seem to cope as well on soft ground maybe? or some do not like the idea of possibly having grass walked into there vehicles , And then how .can we run we run all our electric gizmos without Ehu and also some cls  are now getting to expensive ,  over £10 Inc  ,it I think it would need an amendment to the act of parliament to enable an increase in the legal capacity

Do as a lot of CL's do if they have the room/space, put a fence between the 5 van CL and make the other side of the fence a commercial site. Just been on one that had 5 vans in one part and over the hedge was another 8, plenty of space but all used the same facilities

we love small CLs, the five van limit is very much part of the attaction....a quiet site in a quiet location?....

there is no need for owners to invest heavily in the site infrastructure, other than to ensure the site is reasonably level and drains well...this will allow vans and MH to,use the site for as long as the owners wishes...

staying for a few days requires no electrickery, just a reasonable battery to run lights, water pump tv etc...

most vans are designed to support their occupants in terms of cooking, washing up, showering etc, so the site doesnt need to provide these things... 

even EHU is not a necessity, and many who like to stay on this type of site are happy to invest a little in allowing them to enjoy..

once you put in ehu....then a toilet.....then a shower....the site is being moved away from the ethos of the traditional CL...

there are many other type of sites that provide various levels of services (ehu, toilets, showers, etc....) and prices will reflect these...

to keep costs down for owners, and prices down for customers) a basic well drained and maintained grass site should suffice.

I have noted the comments of those that followed my post earlier, and whilst I understand and have sympathy with many of them they are failing to recognise that there is a problem.

Too many CL's are closing, and unless something is done to address the problem we may have a much reduced stock soon.

I am sure that Captain Smith in his brand new liner, thought that a few Icebergs were not going to cause him a problem either.  Just keep going as it is, everything is fine!

TF

That's your view, BB, but don't forget that what suits you and what 'should suffice' is not everyone's cup of tea. One size does not fit all and the ethos, as you call it, of the basic CL is not enjoyed by all.

My ideal would be HS and EHU which proves there is a need for different types of CL so let's celebrate the differences, eh?