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Families who were told they were being made homeless from a caravan park just weeks before Christmas, were given a last-minute reprieve and have now been told they can stay.
But the news came too late for some and one Sheppey woman, who had already rented other accommodation, will lose more than £150 if she doesn't take on the new temporary property.
Earlier this week, up to 30 Sheppey families were told they had to leave the Eastern Road Holiday Park at Leysdown, after the owner insisted on evicting everyone by noon yesterday (Wednesday), after the second lockdown ended.
Residents were then forced to find alternative accommodation at short notice.
However, a sudden about-turn came when Swale council intervened and told the park owner people were allowed to stay until January.
But this news came too late for some, including one young mum who had spent two days packing her car with her belongings.
She fumed: “Giving me 24-hours notice that I can now stay is a ridiculously short amount of time.
"I have spent all weekend trying to rent another property and if I pull out of that deal I will lose £170. I have also taken time off work to make all the calls and to pack.”
Among those told to leave were a lawyer, single women with young children and an NHS midwife who has worked throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Some had absolutely nowhere to go and were worried they would be homeless at Christmas with their children.
One, who did not want to be named, sobbed: “My family all live abroad. I have absolutely nowhere to go. I will be homeless with a child.
She added: “How can things like this be possible in the 21st century in a first world country? We were told no one should suffer financial loss from this pandemic but we are losing a lot more than money.”
The lawyer, who also wanted to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from park bosses, said: “I have spoken to the site owner directly and he is stating very clearly he does not want to be doing this.
“He is saying Swale council is insisting that when the second lockdown ends he is to shut the camp.
"He stated his hands are tied and we are not going to be entitled to our service fees or ground rent back for the early closure as the government is forcing him to do this.”
However, a Swale council spokesman denied the authority had contacted holiday parks telling them to close for people allowed to be on site.
The spokesman added: “We have not contacted any sites telling them to close for those who are allowed to be there.
“As with the lockdown earlier in the year, the government has said that holiday and caravan parks must be closed for leisure purposes but there are exceptions.
“This includes those who are unable to return to their main residence, are self-isolating as required by law, or would otherwise be made homeless as a result of the closure.”
He added: “We have contacted the park owner to explain this and we are working to support the families affected.”
Charles Firth, a director of the company which runs the park said: “We had to close as a leisure park because of the coronavirus regulations but we have now received an email from Swale council confirming those who fall into certain categories can stay.
“We have begun contacting everyone affected and have told them they can remain. This is good news.”
One resident, Michelle Pennells, was over the moon with the change of heart.
She said: “This is such a relief. I may now put my Christmas tree up. I literally had nowhere to go.
"I have a dog and few landlords are prepared to take animals. My father is disabled and lives in a special apartment where I could not join him.
“When I received the letter telling me I was being evicted I broke down and cried. I am between jobs and would have ended up homeless.”
The company, Eastern Road Holiday Park, trades as The Crest as it formerly owned the neighbouring Crest Club which was renamed Merlins before it closed earlier this year.
Residents can only stay for 10 months on the park and normally spend January and February at alternative addresses. They say they had already made arrangements for that move.
