Residents vow to remain in homes

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Mobile home residents in a County Down retirement park have vowed to do whatever they can to keep their homes.

The owners of the Seahaven site in Groomsport have informed residents to either upgrade to a park home costing £90,000 or remove their mobile home.

Many of the 100 residents, and local politicians, attended a meeting in the village on Thursday evening.

Residents spokesman John Rowley said they were determined to fight. "We are prepared to demonstrate", he said.

They fear the new owners of the park - Lifestyle Homes Ireland - could force them to leave because they claim mobile homes are not suitable as permanent dwellings.

A solicitor has said that mobile home residents have got few legal rights unless they have a written contract.

Caravan law specialist Graham Watts said people who only have a verbal agreement face difficulties.

He said if a similar case arose in England, the law would protect them.

In England, the Mobile Homes Act 1983 protects people whose only permanent dwelling is their mobile home.

Mr Watts, of Park Home Legal Services, said this did not apply in Northern Ireland.