I have just been speaking to a campsite owner, who is closing his site.

The reason?

European Regulations

He is facing constant expenses for updating his campsite to comply with new european regulations.

The biggest expense that is hitting all campsites is providing paraplegic facilities. For the largest campsites that probably doesn't matter because they have a shower/toilet installed. If they have 300/400 pitches that is acceptable but for the smaller campsites with only 30/100 pitches they still have to have a shower/toilet installed, I was told that this could cost something like £18,000.

A lot of campsites are pulling out their childrens playgrounds because new regulations mean they have to have safety matting around the play items, this can cost £2,000 per swing!

Another regulation means that 75% of all pitches have to have electric up to 16 amps. They are inspected by a industrial electrician which can cost over £200 just for a certificate.

The campsites now need a legionella system in place with a certificate to say that everything has been cleansed.

Business rates are going up for the sites over 35%.

Any campsite that has flood problems now has to provide flood protection and if they are on a busy road or motorway they have to have crash barriers fitted to protect their campsite.


I have found this conversation most unsettling as it means that a lot of smaller campsites are closing down, even the cl s have to follow this legislation.

 

I am apalled, we will have our choice of campsites taken away from us, the smaller quieter campsites won't be able to cope with these expenses and will (and are) close.