Increase size of CLs?

It occurs to me that farming CL owners may get more from regular E.U. grants for the land as part of  'Set aside' or 'Eco meadow' or whatever than forfeit the grant for an unpredictable income from using the land as a CL. That may change when the E.U. grants dry up int wo years time.

As an aside, a couple of years ago I sold my sailing boat to a 'Hedgerow Inspector' (nice work if you can get it) funded by the E.U. who worked on Exmoor. Farmers/landowners received an E.U. grant, subsidy or annual payment for putting in new, or maintaining existing hedges, leaving the land idle.

It is always disappointing to see the number of CL closures, month by month - didn't there used to be some code attached indicating the reason why they were closing? It's rather more difficult to tell these days, but my guess ( and it may be entirely wrong) is that it's the very basic "space in a field" type sites that are more likely to be closing. As more and more folk look for CLs as a more economical alternative to full facility sites. I know that for us, unless it's simply an overnight stop, EHU and a toilet are the first things we look for (after dogs accepted, of course!)

Returning to the OP, we choose CLs because of the 5 van rule, occasionally we've been on a CL with 6 or 7 for a night but wouldn't want that to become the norm.

undoubtedly, TW....

my view was not only a personal one, but one that hinted at why so many CLs are becoming less financially viable, as mentioned in the OP.

more vans might help....but more (and more expensive) infrastructure will only drive owners' costs up, and the way to get that back is to continue to charge more....

every month we see many CLs closing, and ill wager many of them cant be bothered at their current profit level...

so what do they do.....add more 'features' to attract more punters.....ah, only five vans allowed, so ramp up prices, which then becomes a difficult call for those used to small (simple) sites with small prices.

so, next step up the ladder is to take on more vans to recoup that outlay....and so on....

my own view (perhaps not yours) is that there is very much a market for simple sites with less, rather than more.

you only have to witness the success of the CCC THS program  (where you get a pitch, water and waste points, usuually in a field.....at around £8 a night..) to see that the demand is still there.....

many CL users will have a price 'ceiling' in mind, and if extra (not required) facilities drives prices upwards, these folk will go elsewhere...

Thanks for the words of elaboration, BB.

You no doubt didn't intend it to be so but your earlier post created the impression that basic sites suit you so, therefore, should be enough for anyone and everyone. I'm glad you accept there is room for all.

As for the provision of services eventually leading to closure as you describe,  I'm more inclined to agree with Moulesy that it's the absolutely basic sites that are more likely to close. However, we both speculate and cannot know for sure.

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. 

 

Once processed it may not be waste but that is meant to be done at an approved facility. That aside, the cost of putting a power supply in can be very high if there is no suitable connection close to the CL. Western Power charge in the region of £600+ to just bring a supply down a pole. You then have to buy a consumer unit, hook up boxes, buy armoured cable, hire a digger install it and pay an electrician to connect, test and certify it!

Even putting water into a site can be expensive if you have cross a concrete path or driveway etc.

You may have done it on the cheap but depending on the CL location etc it is not always possible

[quote] Once processed it may not be waste but that is meant to be done at an approved facility [/quote]

Skip firms have licences and operate from approved, permitted facilities. All loads are ticketed and must be made available for inspection.  Sometimes this type of inert material may be charged for, sometimes not but it will still appear on the waste operators balance sheet of loads in and out  

This is one stick that can't be used to beat a CL owner 

I won't comment about the power issue as I'm not an electrician  

CLs in fields were designed for caravan owners who wanted truly rural locations - they had cars and could drive out and about. Motor home owners tell me they  want hard standings and locations more immediately accessible to shopping facilities or to public transport.  And so the switch to motor homes is hitting rural CLs.  

It's even more acute in France where an amazing network of town centre and village centre Aires has grown up - providing exactly what motor home owners want - and so small rural campsites there too are struggling and closing.  It's the switch to motor home ownership which is the cause of the decline of simple rural CL sites here in UK as well as tradional small sites over there. 

 

 Once processed it may not be waste but that is meant to be done at an approved facility

 

Skip firms have licences and operate from approved, permitted facilities. All loads are ticketed and must be made available for inspection.  Sometimes this type of inert material may be charged for, sometimes not but it will still appear on the waste operators balance sheet of loads in and out  

This is one stick that can't be used to beat a CL owner 

 

My point is that it "can" still be a very large investment for little return depending on the CL location and the location of the services near the site.

Its not a case of just tipping some rubble and connecting a few wires....

As Supertractorman made the statement and already has a successful CL, Stu, I guess he has a fair idea of what's involved.

We have used CLs on a regular basis since we joined the Club over 30 years ago. They remain the only reason for us to stay members now.

30 years ago, you got fabulous locations, mainly as an add on to another business, such as farming, small holding, or the CL belonged to someone with a large property, probably with an interest in caravanning, and looking to earn a little extra income. They were predominantly grass, had the basics of water and waste provision, perhaps a nice little information point. Down the years, as vans have changed, EHU points have gone in, usually done using all the multitude of equipment and know how that farmers and folks of yesteryear seemed to possess! With the required checks signed off by an expert as safe. Brilliant, these were and are the true CLs.

( I post post this then part two! Avoid time out)