KEETCH BACKS RESIDENTS ON ROSS CARAVAN PARK

9.00.00am GMT Mon 12th Jan 2004

Paul Keetch with residents of Cottage Park

Hereford MP Paul Keetch has lent his support to residents of the Cottage Park caravan site in Ross who want to stay in the mobile homes. Mr Keetch met some of the residents with their local Councillor Joyce Davis last Friday.

Some of the residents have complained that they feel under pressure from the site owner, Mr Smith, who has given some of them notice to quit their homes.

"Residents at Cottage Park, like any home owners, have certain rights and I am determined to ensure that they do not leave their homes unless they want to" said Mr Keetch.

"I met half a dozen of them on the site and they all want to stay. They keep their units immaculately decorated and take great pride in their homes. For the park owner to suggest that some units are "in poor condition" is ludicrous.

"There are about 30 units on the site and I am told that most want to stay. One lady I met has lived at the site for 46 years.

"Residents have already been in touch with the Independent Park Home Advisory Service and I am ensuring that, through their local councillor, they will also meet the relevant officer from Herefordshire Council".