APPG Vice Chair and Co-Ordinator Annette Brooke MP with Housing Minister Grant Shapps and Mobile Homes APPG Officers
Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, today welcomed Housing Minister Grant Shapps at a meeting of the APPG on Mobile Homes. The Minister attended the meeting, chaired by Christopher Chope MP, to discuss the current consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government on Park Homes.
The Minister outlined the consultation and answered questions from MPs and stakeholders. He highlighted that a Private Members Bill on Park Homes would receive Government support if put forward. The Private Members' Ballot takes place tomorrow, and MPs will find out which 20 members will receive Parliamentary time for a bill.
Annette said: "Having heard for many years about the anguish of people who have suffered living on a site with a rogue park home owner, it is exciting that the matter is likely to be addressed in the immediate future.
I welcome the consultation and the Government support for a Private Members' Bill, and I will be keeping my fingers crossed that one of the lucky 20 MPs takes the legislation forward."
Annette has campaigned for years on these issues, along with local park home resident and founder of the Park Home Owners Justice Campaign Sonia McColl.
The publication of the consultation is the culmination of organised national rallies, meetings of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Mobile Homes, Parliamentary Questions asked by Annette to various Ministers in the House of Commons, including two to the Prime Minister, and Parliamentary debates.
The consultation is open until 28th May 2012 and can be found at http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/mobilehomeowners