by Tom Walsh
A war of words has broken out between a Lincolnshire caravan park owner and the council over the role of tourists in the region.
John Chappell, of Skegness Water Leisure Park, has dismissed claims that visitors are a burden on local resources and the taxpayer adding that he believes they are crucial to the area’s economy, the East Lindsey Target reports.
There have been calls for tourists to contribute towards improving flood defences from the coast, but Mr Chappell believes that introducing a new tax rate for tourists could actually prevent a lot from coming.
Caravan owners currently pay a ground fee of £2,200 a year including £440 VAT and £200 towards business rates.
Mr Chappell told the news provider: “Most of them are here for weekends etc and they are paying a hell of a rate of tax for having a luxury holiday caravan.”
In other local news, a meeting to discuss protecting against flooding in the area is being held at the Embassy Theatre in Skegness on 23 January.
