A 75-year-old grandmother claims she is being kept awake at night after her dream of retiring to a static caravan turned into a financial nightmare. Joanne Squire paid £14,500 for a caravan at Park Lane Holiday Homes in Meols, Wirral, in November 2020, but soon realised she could not live there due to health issues and lack of amenities.
Ms Squire, who suffered a stroke two years ago leaving her unable to drive, said the on-site shop and cafe were not open, making it impossible for her to live there as the nearest shops were a two-mile walk away. When she tried to return the caravan just two weeks later, she was offered only £2,000 by the owners, Hill Brothers Residential & Leisure Parks, because it was over ten years old.
“I couldn’t believe it, and I felt like they treated me like a joke,” Ms Squire told the Liverpool ECHO. She added that she has been prevented from selling the caravan to a third party or renting it out, and is still paying thousands of pounds in ground rents. She stated she would “rather go to jail than give them another penny”.
The park owners, Britaniacrest Limited, which owns Hill Brothers, declined to comment on individual matters, stating they comply with contractual and statutory obligations. The ECHO understands the Park Lane site is designated as a holiday site, not for permanent residential use.
Wirral Council is investigating the site for possible breaches of planning control due to concerns about residential use. Alan Evans, director of regeneration and place, confirmed the matter is under investigation, with discussions underway with the site owners.
