Bladon Chains - another lost site?

There seems to be a consensus here that the Club(s) do tend to cluster sites in "honeypot" areas.When "times are better(?) " the CMC should take a look at the gaps in its network.I love going motorhoming  in Wales and there is a void in central Wales,there is a void in Suffolk/Essex,West/South Yorkshire is another void area.

The Market gets what the Market wants,is true but there is potential to develop the Market.We are a crowded island and people do gather in the honey pot areas.I usually shun them for their crowds, high prices and sometimes a "tackiness".I will not name them for fear of causing "offence"  but just try getting a booking on the sites near to them.

Yet there is still potential to take our leisure in  parts of the UK which have not totally sold out their souls to tourism.A more  authentic UK is still out there if you want to look for it.Perhaps the Club might consider developing sites in such places rather than sticking,somewhat unimaginatively,to the familiar.

 

I think the best bet for the kind of thing you describe kenexton are "UK Aires"

peedee

We usually visit  North Wales every year as we have friends just outside Ruthin.  There is, or was, a CL there, we tried it once, but access was poor and the site not that great, so we now use a good CL much further away, so a lot of driving to and fro while we are there.

LMP Club site at Chirk is even further, so I would agree there are many gaps in the network.

Scotland is also poorly served.

I think it might help to get away from the term “Aires”, and think of something similar but British. 

The Club could take a radical departure from its two usual models, (buy a plot, build a largish Site, or acquire a previous Site and Club Clone it) and look at smaller Sites, say up to 20-25 pitches with fewer services beyond ehu, water and waste, and limit stays to a maximum of 4,5,6 (?) nights, encompassing Smart payments, a local based site supervisor to check daily, (not be resident on Site) and allow both MHs, caravans and trailer tents to use. Something like this, in partnership with local landowners (Farmers, Councils, Private🤷‍♀️) on a lease basis, dotted in the gaps could allow folks to tour properly, in whatever outfit they prefer, spending a few nights to explore local interest before moving on. Limit the nights, limit the facilities, try to keep it staff free but secure and it’s a different model for those who don’t want or need a full Club Site experience and can tour happily without a deal of human interaction. Putting back into local areas as well if leased. Half way house between Club Site and CL, something different. Needs a good deal more thought and reality check, but an idea. And don’t of course, overprice it. 

And call then CL+? it of course would need HMG and LA to both be involved ,and very good security to stop those who do not think any rules apply to them

Gone are the days when both  major clubs would open a site that if not a real going concern (payed its way) it could be subsidised by the money making sites,

There now has to be a good business case ,for investment in such places ,unless  the as most are cash strapped  LAs are were to "chip in" with some money 

Back to the idea that perhaps the Blenheim Estate could have a 24/48 hour motorhome parking spot. There is a potential ideal spot for such parking. It is just behind the parking payment kiosks as you enter the Palace grounds on the right. It already seems to have a hardstanding base and perhaps is used for employee/trade parking? It would take a lot to provide basic facilities? 

On another aspect of the planning change. I wonder if members should object to the change on the basis that it removes the only option for touring caravan and motorhomes to visit the Palace without the need to use vehicles. Having to stay further away could impact locally by a) people thinking twice about visiting Blenheim from further away. A potential loss of visitors that is unlikely to be recovered by the people staying in the static accommodation? and B) force people to travel further by vehicle creating more pollution?

David

 I think it might help to get away from the term “Aires”, and think of something similar but British. 

I think most motorhome owners who have travelled France understand what you mean when you refer to an "Aire". Inventing another name might only serve to misunderstandings although I prefer the perhaps not so snappy name of "Motorhome Stopover" Either way when talking to potential providers a fair bit of explanation/education is required. Scotland seems to have grasped the idea with both hands, albeit with the involvement of a fair amount of red tape.

peedee

On another aspect of the planning change. I wonder if members should object to the change on the basis that it removes the only option for touring caravan and motorhomes to visit the Palace without the need to use vehicles. Having to stay further away could impact locally by a) people thinking twice about visiting Blenheim from further away. A potential loss of visitors that is unlikely to be recovered by the people staying in the static accommodation? and B) force people to travel further by vehicle creating more pollution?

I think it is a lost cause David. The Estate could not have taken the decision lightly to terminate a long asociation with the Club and having made up their mind I suspect there is no going back. Even if the planning for the lodges fails the lease will now always be under threat and the site will never be improved.

I'm optimistic there will be alternatives.

peedee

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