BOSSES at Canvey’s Sandy Bay residential resort have been told they cannot increase pitch fees by six per cent due to the “deterioration” in the services on offer.
The owners of the static home park on the island, Thorney Bay Park Limited, had proposed to raise the pitch fees but were met with fury by residents who refused to pay the increased rate.
Now, a judge has ruled fees can only be increased by four per cent and stated deterioration had been caused by the “increase in the number of residents on the site without any improvement in services”.
Residents had claimed that the quality of service at Sandy Bay had declined, security hours had been reduced and promised improvements - including a bigger restaurant - had not been delivered.
Former Canvey councillor, Ray Howard MBE, said: “I’m delighted the residents have won here. The residents should not have to pay more when they’re paying for services that, according to the ruling, are not good enough.
“Also, as the new developments were publicised, this might have attracted people to spend money to live on the site but are not getting what they thought.
“If the services were good, then the pitch fee increase would be understandable.”
Several residents were taken to the first-tier tribunal by Thorney Bay Park limited after refusing to accept the 2022-23 pitch fee increase of six per cent.
The hearing was held on October 19 and included a visit and a hearing conducted at the Southend Magistrates Court.
After consideration, the judge, Jim Shepherd, ruled in favour of the residents. Sandy Bay first opened in September 2017, with developers claiming it would be the “best resort of its kind in Europe”.
A number of homes from the former Thorney Bay static home park were replaced with new homes amid promises of a new clubhouse with restaurant, cafe and bar as well as 24 hour security and indoor swimming pool and gym complex.
The decision report highlighted complaints from a resident that the “bar/restaurant was too small for the number of occupants”.
Summarising, Judge Shepherd said the deterioration has been caused by the “increase in the number of residents on the site without any improvement in services”. It added: “We can we consider that the pitch fee increase should be reduced to four per cent.”
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