Bunn Leisure boss says '˜no vans on site' rule is nothing new following '˜uproar'

It follows a caravan owner on the holiday park saying a ‘new rule’ preventing any commercial vans on the site had ‘caused uproar’ among owners.

The caravan owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Owners found out about this new rule last weekend when van drivers were being turned away by security.

“No brief was communicated to owners of caravans prior to this.

“One owner was forced to park by the new Asda site and walk late at night with their belongings and young children.

“Previously vans were required to park by the entrance barrier on the west sands park.

“Many owners come straight from work on Friday so have little choice of their transport.”

He said hundreds of people had made negative comments on a Facebook page.

He raised safety fears of vans having to be left for a week in Selsey and potentially being broken into, blocking residential roads and limiting parking for traders.

Responding to the criticism, John Bunn, managing director of Bunn Leisure, said: “Restrictions at our luxury holiday parks for commercial vehicles are nothing new, and indeed, they are fairly standard across the caravan holiday industry.

“These have been part of our site licence since before 2000.

“That said, we have been applying them more strictly since 2013 in direct response to a dramatic increase in numbers that were ruining people’s enjoyment of our parks.

“We have always tried to ensure that the policy has been well communicated to owners via their site licences, dedicated emails, our owners’ website, social media and formal letters.

“It is also prominent on the booking system and paperwork, so that when a holidaymaker books online they are informed of the vehicle restrictions.

“Caravan owners can arrange to travel in commercial vehicles by pre-arrangement with our security team, and they are of course able to drive to their holiday home, drop off what they need, and then leave the parks.

“This is especially prevalent at the start and the end of the season when setting up or closing down their holiday homes for the season.”

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