MORE than 100 residents of caravans in Whitehill have formed a residents' association because they are fearful of losing their homes.

A new owner is taking over the Redhouse and Sunshine caravan parks at the end of the month, and residents are fearful of plans rumoured to be in prospect for modernising the site.

Last Friday, residents held a meeting, chaired by town mayor Neil Ockenden, and formed a residents' association to try to get to the bottom of rumours and speculation.

New chairman of the Redhouse and Sunshine Residents' Association Brian Craven said: "Around 100 residents came along to the meeting, which is good."

Mr Craven told The Herald that the new owner, Michael Wenman, will officially take over the site on April 30, and that some residents are on a knife-edge over their future.

"One of the problems is that we don't really know anything," he said.

"There are a lot of rumours about what is happening to the site and Mr Wenman has spoken to a few of the residents, but he hasn't organised a meeting or anything like that to let us know what is going on."

Mr Craven said there was a strong belief at the park that the new owner plans to turn it into a park for retired people.

"It would be strictly for the over 50s only," he said.

"There would be no children and no pets allowed either.

"There are some retired people already here, but most people on the site are young, working people.

"It appears that he is going to be trying to get rid of most of the residents who are already there."

Mr Craven said the current capacity of the site is around 130 caravans. Most occupants own their own caravan and rent the plot of land on which it is sited. Many of them believe that the numbers will be greatly reduced.

"There has been talk of it being reduced down to ten or 15, but we just don't know."

Mr Craven said that residents have received a letter from Mr Wenman informing them they have nothing to fear, but this has done nothing to allay concerns.

"We are in the dark, which is why we have turned to our local councillors for help."

Yesterday (Thursday) residents were due to meet East Hampshire district councillors to discuss the situation.

Mr Craven said: "I hope that some members of the town council will also be coming along.

"This meeting will give us some indication of what we can do, but we will be seeking legal advice as well.

"I have lived here for five years but some of the other residents have lived here an awful lot longer - 30 years or so."

Dan Gorvin, of East Hampshire District Council, said that the caravan site was first registered in its present form in 1967.

He said: "We believe that the new owner believes that he will take over ownership of the site from April 30, which is when we will be expecting new registration forms to be sent through."

Michael Wenman failed to respond to approaches by The Herald to comment.