RESIDENTS desperately trying to overturn a mass eviction notice from their park homes have been dealt a “disappointing” blow after national policy prohibited a parish council from supporting their claims.

Tall Trees Park homeowners in Hurn have been fighting for months to have their properties formally recognised as residential units as they face being turfed out of their homes which they claim they were mis-sold.

Residents gathered at Hurn Parish Council’s latest planning meeting on Monday to hear from councillors about their applications.

The first application is an appeal against the enforcement notices, the second is a group of applications to change the homes’ use.

Parish councillors said the site should remain as a holiday park, in accordance with national policy.

Hurn Parish Council vice chairman Harvey Greenman said the matter was initially discussed at an earlier meeting on April 10 which was adjourned following a site visit. The council voted unanimously not to approve the application.

“We were minded to object to the application as the site is on green belt land and is on a Site of Special Scientific Interest,” he told the Daily Echo.

“In line with national policies councillors expressed their decision but also their sympathy with the residents who face personal and financial uncertainty.

“We have urged the local planning authority to carefully weigh all the factors when deciding this application.”

“We are not the decision-making body - we’re only expressing our views. It’s really now down to Christchurch to make that decision and we will respect their decision.”

A representative of the Tall Trees Home Owners’ Association told the Daily Echo they were disappointed with the outcome.

“It could have gone better and we were all very disappointed but they have added a very compassionate supporting statement asking the council to strongly consider the human element here,” she said.

Since the eviction notices were issued by Christchurch council residents have been fighting to have their park homes changed to residential claiming that is how the the plots had been sold.

There are around dozens of residents affected by the council’s decision. However, in the past few weeks, five units have successfully achieved a certificate of lawfulness to gain permanent residential status of their homes.

James Cain, planning consultant for Tall Trees residents, said: “I find it regrettable that to date the council has not agreed to a request by residents for the applications to be heard by the planning committee.

“The applications have generated media interest locally and Hurn Parish Council has displayed a lot of sympathy for the plight of residents.”