A MONIFIETH caravan park, which may have breached its licence by allowing families to live permanently on the site, will be discussed at the meeting of the local community council tomorrow night.

Riverview Caravan Park, situated at the waterfront, has a substantial number of families living there year round, said Ian Mortimer, chairman of Monifieth Community Council.

He said children are living at the site on a permanent basis and attend school in Monifieth, and people are running businesses from their homes in the park.

The problem would appear to be with those living in static holiday homes and lodges, privately owned and bought prior to the present owners taking over in December.

The five-star award-winning park, named one of the most improved caravan sites in Scotland in 2002, is open all year.

Despite the licence issued by Angus Council not allowing permanent residency at the site, there are a number of families living there year-round.

Riverview area residents will attend the meeting to voice concerns about the caravan park.

Mr Mortimer said, “There are 13 or 14 chalets there and about 35 static caravans, a lot of which are being used all the year round, when it should only be holiday caravans. There are children living there going to school here and people running businesses from their homes.

“The community council has been speaking about this for a while, but now the issue has come to a head.

“A delegation of people from the caravan park are coming to our meeting. They are worried about the situation—they could be living there under false pretences.”

Grants (Craigmills) Caravans, of Strathmartine own the caravan park and Carol Hosea of the company said they had inherited the problem of families constantly living on the site.

Mrs Hosea said, “We are investigating the situation. We have never been invited to a community council meeting or been approached by them regarding their concerns. If people would approach us we would be able to give them assurances.

“It’s a holiday park and it’s run as a holiday park. We don’t sell on a 12-month basis.

“We bought the park in December. Anything that’s happened before we can’t do anything about.

“Nobody is meant to be living there permanently.

“I am looking at it very closely with Angus Council and I am hoping to reduce opening to 11 months a year, which would prevent anyone living there permanently.”

The problem appears to stem from people living in the lodges, which had been sold to their owners prior to Grants (Craigmills) Caravans taking over the site at the end of last year.

“There is nothing legally to stop them living on the site all the year round because the site is open all year round.”

Mrs Hosea confirmed there are people living on the site who are paying council tax and there is one child of school age.

Angus Council said it had received no complaints about the caravan park. A spokesperson added, “The council environmental and consumer protection department administers licensing for caravan parks and any abuse would be investigated by them.

“Anyone with concerns is urged to contact the council directly on 08452 777 778.”

Monifieth Community Council meets tomorrow night at 7 in the old council chambers in High Street.