Bath’s Liberal Democrat MP, Wera Hobhouse, has called for clarity over park homes residents, such as those in Quarry Rock Gardens, who have seen pitch fees soar.
A static home | Library image
Park homes are movable homes that are placed permanently on private land, where residents pay a pitch fee to the site owner to keep their home there.
Over 85,000 households in England live in park homes, with the majority of people aged over 60.
Pitch fees in England are linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) rather than the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as they are in other countries in the UK.
As such, pitch fees increase faster in England than in places like Scotland and Wales.
The Government had previously promised to apply the Consumer Price Index to pitch fees, but the legislation is yet to come forward.
In a question to the Government, Mrs Hobhouse called for a statement on when the changes to pitch fees are coming forward.
Mark Spencer MP, Leader of the House, confirmed that he will look into the matter with the relevant department and update her in due course.
Wera Hobhouse MP commented: “Park home residents are facing soaring pitch fees alongside the cost of living crisis. The Conservatives committed to reforming the way that fees are charged and have an oven ready solution yet they are stalling.
“Dither and delay is simply not good enough for people who are struggling to pay the bills.
“I am pleased that my colleague Cllr Alison Born raised these concerns with me and that we can work together to pressure the Conservative Government to take action. The Ministers response was reassuring and I will be following up to ensure that progress is made.
“Park home residents have waited long enough. They deserve fair rules and protections so they are not unduly charged or taken advantage of by rogue site owners.”
Widcombe and Lyncombe Councillor, Alison Born said: “I’m very grateful that Wera is taking up this issue and has put it on the Government’s radar.
“Residents in Quarry Rock Gardens have contacted me with their concerns as their pitch fees are set to rapidly increase in the middle of soaring cost of living.
“Residents will be grateful for Wera’s intervention and Wera and I will keep pressuring the Government to take action to help park homes residents.
“Changing the way pitch fees increase will support residents at such a difficult point and will bring England in line with Wales and Scotland which have already made the change.”
