MILLIONS of pounds of taxpayers’ money has been paid to the owners of a Canvey caravan park to house council tenants.

Thorney Bay Village’s owners have earned almost £4million in the past two years alone for housing vulnerable unemployed people, single parents and ex-offenders.

The money has been paid to the King Family, via Castle Point Council – despite the fact the park is still flouting a fire safety notice issued five years ago.

Almost half of the park’s 800 static holiday homes are rented to people on housing benefits.

Dave Blackwell, a Canvey Island Independent Party borough and town councillor, said: “I speak to lots of people, who say have no choice but to live there, because otherwise they would be homeless.

“They also say, in winter, it’s freezing cold. There are also unsavoury things going on, which they don’t like.

“As a local authority, we have a duty to make sure people are living in liveable conditions.

“Families with young children shouldn’t have to live in caravans that are freezing cold in the winter.”

The King family employ a full-time health and safety officer at the site, and are investing £13million on improvements.

The council admits it has received complaints about living conditions.

However, it was unable to say if its officers had inspected caravans on the site and insisted it could not withhold benefit payments as a way of pressing for improvements.

A spokesman said: “Under the existing regulations, the council does not have the power to withhold or refuse payment of housing benefit where a claimant is eligible, and cannot rescind the decision to award the benefit as a consequence of the landlord’s business activities, where the claimant is legally and properly entitled to receive the benefit.

“The majority of housing benefit is subsidised from money received from Department for Work and Pensions and the council is merely responsible for administering the scheme.

“The council has been made aware of the living conditions at Thorney Bay Park and has been working with other agencies, including Essex County Council, the police, and the site owner to ensure the welfare and safety of residents.

"However, the council is not the owner or operator and cannot directly interfere with the business operation at the site, unless there is a specific breach of a statutory enactment for which the council is the enforcing authority.

“The council will continue to be part of the various multiagency groups been formed to assist residents with tenancy and family matters.

“The present accommodation complies with all mandatory requirements in relation to mobile homes and caravans and ultimately, the choice and type of accommodation rests with the landlord and tenant.

“Naturally, the council would prefer that families were not accommodated in caravans and mobile homes which can be susceptible to damp and cold.”

The Department for Work and Pensions declined to comment.

 

FAMILY DYNASTY NOW IN THIRD GENERATION

 

THORNEY Bay Village has been owned by successive generations of the prominent Canvey business dynasty, the Kings.

Jack King handed its ownership to his son, Jeff, who was once director of several other Castle Point businesses.

These included Canvey Island Football Club and finance company Pemican.

The Echo understands Jeff King has since stepped aside from the Thorney Bay Park company, which runs the park.

He has since moved abroad and handed the reins to his 25-yearold daughter, Holly.

Miss King said: “More than five years ago, Castle Point Council approached Thorney Bay Park to help it accommodate individuals and families who were on housing benefits for whom they did not have homes.

“We currently house 300 tenants, who might otherwise be homeless.

“Tenants are responsible for maintaining the living conditions within their caravans.

“This includes the use of electric heaters to keep them warm. If and when we become aware of issues, or they are brought to our attention by tenants, we deal quickly to rectify the situation.

“We are investing £13million to maintain and improve the park and all of its facilities.

“We have a full-time health and safety officer and we are committed to keeping the park safe and maintaining all our caravans.”