Seasonal site desposit question

[Surfer]

We are very careful about contracts and obligations, but you can still get "caught". About three weeks ago we visited a caravan site to look for a seasonal
pitch. The caravan site was immaculate with all the facilities or so we
thought. The site is situated behind a country pub. We have used this
site previously when it belonged to the pub, but now the land behind
the pub has either been bought or is leased to an individual.

Anyway we liked the site and gave the LL a deposit of £100 to book the
pitch that we liked. No contracts were exchanged and everything at that
point was a verbal agreement. Last week we received a copy of the Terms and Conditions and one of the conditions has given us a great deal
of concern.

It appears that you need to remove all your rubbish and dog faeces from
the site as there is no waste collection for the caravan site although there
is collection for pub in front. Previously when we used the site, all
rubbish was collected. If you stay for several days, this is quite a
lot of waste, dog faeces and items for recycling. Carrying this back in
your vehicle for an hour may create a health hazard. The nearest dump
is a 23 mile round trip so not really a practical solution.

The other issue of course is where to store the waste etc while you are
using the site as the smell will probably attract foxes, rats and other
vermin. Obviously we cannot store it in the caravan as the smell will
be unbearable especially in warmer weather. Can't store it in the
awning as wild animals and vermin can access it. This could create a health risk.

We have our suspicions that the reason why there is no collection is
that there is a possibility that he has not informed the council of
continued usage of land as a caravan site as being independent from the pub and that the site may not be registered with the
council as a caravan site. i.e. no planning permission. I can't see planning permission being granted if no waste collection. The site will hold 25 caravans.

If we decided to cancel, would we be entitled to our deposit back as the
season only starts at the end of March so plenty of time to find other
clients.

 

[Parksy]

Why not try having a word with the site landlord first of all in a casual friendly way to sound him out about the return of your deposit.
Tell him that you were unaware until you saw the T&C's that you had to take your rubbish home and that this would be an issue for you.
He might suggest a solution or come up with a better system, and at least he will have time to re-let the pitch and you will know where you stand regarding your deposit.
Often weekend rallies have no rubbish removal arrangements and rally goers are obliged to take the rubbish home. We use strurdy plastic bags with tie strings at the top which contain lighter plastic bags which hold the actual rubbish but we're only taking a couple of days worth and as often as not we deposit recycleable items into local recycling containers which can be found on supermarket car parks, outside village halls etc.
We've never had problems with rats, foxes or other wildlife and the secret is to seal the rubbish into the bags so that there is no smell.
It's easy to find out if planning permission has been applied for or granted. Most local authorities have internet access to the planning dept and by entering the name of the site or the name of the pub you would be able to see all previous planning applications as well as those that are pending.
If the LL refuses to refund your deposit and you know for sure that no planning permission was granted or the terms have been breached then you could have a bit of leverage, 100 quid is 100 quid!

 

[Surfer]

He didn't even hesitate when we asked to cancel. A check with planning revealed that as there was no change of usage, they didn't bother to check any further which is why he was able to slip under the net. Weekend rally not so bad, but when stay several days and lucky enough to have sunshine, it may be an issue.

 

[Parksy]

I'm glad that you've had your deposit refunded Surfer, better in your pocket than somebody else's.

Not all rally fields insist that rubbish is taken home, rallies which last longer than a weekend often have some very basic facillities and more than a couple of days worth of rubbish would present a real problem for anyone.