Network Shrinkage

cyberyacht replied on 11/01/2018 17:09

cyberyacht

Posted on 11/01/2018 17:09

I see from the current magazine that we have lost a further 13 CLs with no new ones at all this month. Particularly disconcerting is that yet another one that I have visited has closed. I'm beginning to wonder if a visit from me is the "kiss of death".

Why are we seeing this inexorable decline? Is it the increasing desire for full facilities which make it uneconomic for small operators, a shortage of "a new generation of adventurers"or whatever that buzzphrase was, the minimal cash return that make owners think "it's not worth the bother" or is it really all my fault?

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209 replies

eurortraveller replied on 25/01/2018 11:28

Member

eurortraveller

Posted on 25/01/2018 11:28

Even the Vulcan bomber became outdated in the end and CLs will too. Life moves on and progress keeps happening.

DavidKlyne replied on 25/01/2018 17:04

Moderator

DavidKlyne

Motorhomer

Posted on 25/01/2018 11:03 by Vulcan

Do members who continually advocate allowing more units on CL'c really understand the complexity of the issue. CL owners are allowed the extraordinarily unusual advantage of setting up a site without the need for planning approval due to the fact that the site is small and unobtrusive. If they wish to extend the site they are completely within their rights to apply for planning approval for a larger site.
Many local councils and individuals hate the unusual advantages afforded to CL's due to the fact that planning approval is not required and the most likely outcome of a protracted discussion on the number of units on a CL would be the end of the concession.
I have used CL's for 40 years now and in all that time sites have closed and new ones opened due to different circumstances, and most of the ones I use are happy with their lot. To a certain extent members are their own enemies in as much as they are demanding too much from CL's like internet booking, demanding full site facilities and perfectly manicured grass etc, and then they wonder why CL's are pricing themselves out of the market.

Posted on 25/01/2018 17:04

Vulcan

I think if the Club were maintaining the number of CL's, even at the current level, with new ones coming on stream matching those that left the network I suspect most people would be reasonably happy. However it is the concern that there seems to be constant shrinkage of the network that has set people thinking how that might be put right. I think all this discussion is suggesting that all elements of CL's should be looked at. Increasing the number of units is just one element of that discussion. I am of the view that everything is up for discussion even if the conclusions are to maintain the status quo. There may be local authorities that don't like the current system but I imagine it would be up to Central Government to make the change and councils locally would have to accept that decision. Increasing the number of units on a CL to 6, 8 or ten from the current 5 would in reality have no impact at all on any of the locals.

David

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Fisherman replied on 25/01/2018 18:42

Fisherman

Posted on 25/01/2018 18:42

Doing nothing will just see the hemoraging continue. Ok for oldies like me but the future certainly looks bleak. Those with rose tinted glasses need a dose of reality. What the answer is I don't know but surely the club should be looking at this and as David says everything should be up for discussion starting with input from existing Cls

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Boff replied on 25/01/2018 18:48

Member

Boff

Caravanner

Posted on 25/01/2018 18:48

CL’s and similar sites are covered by Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960. Amending this act Is unlikely to be a high priority, for the current Government imho. In my opinion the club could support CL’s more effectively by pulling there fingers out and actually putting relevant information on the website in a reasonable length of time. I have heard of a new CL relatively local to me has had almost no visits but it has been waiting 6 months for information and pictures to be uploaded.

Secondly the club could also spread the message that most modern LVs have all the necessary facilties built in, this would reduce the overheads for potential and existing CL owners.

1 person likes this

nelliethehooker replied on 25/01/2018 19:10

Member

nelliethehooker

Caravanner

Posted on 25/01/2018 18:48 by Boff

CL’s and similar sites are covered by Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960. Amending this act Is unlikely to be a high priority, for the current Government imho. In my opinion the club could support CL’s more effectively by pulling there fingers out and actually putting relevant information on the website in a reasonable length of time. I have heard of a new CL relatively local to me has had almost no visits but it has been waiting 6 months for information and pictures to be uploaded.

Secondly the club could also spread the message that most modern LVs have all the necessary facilties built in, this would reduce the overheads for potential and existing CL owners.

Posted on 25/01/2018 19:10

Boff, have you suggested to the CL owner, close to you, to post on here and on the CC's FB page and advertise this way?

JohnM20 replied on 26/01/2018 17:15

Member

JohnM20

Caravanner

Posted on 25/01/2018 11:03 by Vulcan

Do members who continually advocate allowing more units on CL'c really understand the complexity of the issue. CL owners are allowed the extraordinarily unusual advantage of setting up a site without the need for planning approval due to the fact that the site is small and unobtrusive. If they wish to extend the site they are completely within their rights to apply for planning approval for a larger site.
Many local councils and individuals hate the unusual advantages afforded to CL's due to the fact that planning approval is not required and the most likely outcome of a protracted discussion on the number of units on a CL would be the end of the concession.
I have used CL's for 40 years now and in all that time sites have closed and new ones opened due to different circumstances, and most of the ones I use are happy with their lot. To a certain extent members are their own enemies in as much as they are demanding too much from CL's like internet booking, demanding full site facilities and perfectly manicured grass etc, and then they wonder why CL's are pricing themselves out of the market.

Posted on 26/01/2018 17:15

If we turned away from every problem because the issue was complex we would still be living in 1918 not 2018.

Where does the notion that many local councils and individuals hate the unusual advantages afforded to CLs come from? I'm curious where this list is.

If most of the CLs are happy with their lot why has it been that on the last 5 CLs that I have visited there have been more than 5 outfits. Is it because they are not happy with their lot and by allowing one more unit their income increased from £60 to £72 per night?

1 person likes this

Tinwheeler replied on 26/01/2018 18:04

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 26/01/2018 17:15 by JohnM20

If we turned away from every problem because the issue was complex we would still be living in 1918 not 2018.

Where does the notion that many local councils and individuals hate the unusual advantages afforded to CLs come from? I'm curious where this list is.

If most of the CLs are happy with their lot why has it been that on the last 5 CLs that I have visited there have been more than 5 outfits. Is it because they are not happy with their lot and by allowing one more unit their income increased from £60 to £72 per night?

Posted on 26/01/2018 18:04

No doubt you told the club which sites were in breach of their exemption certificates, John, in an effort to protect the club from the possibility of losing its right to grant exemption. No?

1 person likes this

Vulcan replied on 26/01/2018 18:19

Member

Vulcan

Posted on 26/01/2018 17:15 by JohnM20

If we turned away from every problem because the issue was complex we would still be living in 1918 not 2018.

Where does the notion that many local councils and individuals hate the unusual advantages afforded to CLs come from? I'm curious where this list is.

If most of the CLs are happy with their lot why has it been that on the last 5 CLs that I have visited there have been more than 5 outfits. Is it because they are not happy with their lot and by allowing one more unit their income increased from £60 to £72 per night?

Posted on 26/01/2018 18:19

If you think that by circumnavigating the need for planning permission in order to open a CL and then disregarding the regulations that were signed up for is acceptable then you are part of the problem.

2 people like this

Fisherman replied on 26/01/2018 18:34

Fisherman

Posted on 26/01/2018 18:34

Some here cant acknowledge that many Cls now exceed their numbers. In the real world who can blame them, and provided it did not seriously effect my stay there is no way I would report them. Its a cash business. They know Local Auth etc turn a blind eye. How often does a club person visit- probably never. Ok lets leave things as they are and keep on loosing the Cl network.

Tinwheeler replied on 26/01/2018 18:53

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 26/01/2018 18:53

It isn't a case of not acknowledging it happens but a case of seeing the bigger picture and the knock on effect on us all if exemption regulations continue to be breached. Common sense, really.

1 person likes this

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