Woman livid after being booted from UK seaside town holiday park

A caravan owner was left furious after being told she had to vacate her holiday home four months early, despite claiming a written contract stated otherwise. The anonymous woman bought a caravan at New Pines Holiday Home Park in Rhyl North Wales in 2018. Her licence agreement allows her to stay there for 10-and-a-half months of the year - the entire time the park is open - she claimed.

However, she was contacted last week by Darwin Escapes, who run the site, informing her that she was in breach of the agreement after spending more than six months there. She estimated that she'd spent nine months there last year. The disgruntled customer told the Rhyl Journal: "We are fully compliant with our residential status, and have provided the park with all of the documents they require as per their licence agreement. We own the caravan, and pay council tax, utility bills and insurance - the caravan probably costs us about £12,500 per year.

"But last week, Darwin sent out an email and a letter stating that, because we've been staying at the park for more than six months, we are in breach of our licence agreement - despite a written contract outlining we can use it for recreation purposes for the full 10-and-a-half months.

"We're sick of this. Do they not want customers? What is this going to do to the Welsh economy? How many businesses around here are going to be affected if caravan owners can't come here for more than six months a year?

"We have been compliant with everything. It's the only business I know that discourages customers."

The woman said she also contacted Denbighshire County Council regarding the "legalities" of Darwin Escapes' letter, but has so far not received a reply.

She added: "We are not the only ones to receive this letter - many owners that have lots of recreational time have received it, as well. These holiday parks can't get away with treating people like this. We've gone above and beyond to be compliant."

A Darwin Escapes spokesperson said: "New Pines Holiday Home Park operates on a 10.5-month holiday licence, allowing owners to use their holiday homes for recreational purposes throughout that period.

"The park is not a residential site and cannot be used as a permanent residence, in line with local planning conditions. We review usage to ensure compliance.

"This is not to restrict recreational use, but to protect the long-term integrity of the park and ensure we comply with our licence. We encourage any owner with questions to speak with the park team directly."