FORMER Chelsea Legend Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris is among residents of a Mudeford holiday park who want to show management the red card over soaring fees and “Third Division” facilities.

The famously tough defender said of Sandhills Holiday Park: “In footballing terms when I came here eight years ago it was Premiere League now its like Third Division or conference.”

He was among a dozen residents of the 130 plot site who shared concerns – until the Echo reporter was asked by management to leave the site. Discussions continued outside.

The group said they were fed up with rising pitch fees, which have gone up on average 6.4 per cent a year for the past five years and now stand at £8,895 for lodges and £6,495 for caravans.

As well the fees – up by 8.06 per cent this year – they told of diminishing services including the loss of an on site take-away and shop, now located in a cupboard, and promised improvements which have so far failed to materialise.

Resident Colin Jenkins said: “Most of the people here are retired. We were sold the dream but what we’ve found is escalating prices every year.”

The group also claim site owners Park Holidays UK have disallowed residents from extending their ten year tenures by five years – something they claim was a ‘verbal understanding’ with the previous park owners. Instead they are having to pay tens of thousands to upgrade to lodges, or leave. A number of homes there have been on sale for months.

“Where there used to be a lovely relaxed atmosphere you have people not really wanting to come down here anymore,” added Eric Read, a resident for five years. The group say they have a 77-signature petition from disgruntled owners.

A spokesman for Park Holiday UK insisted “the vast majority” of private owners were “extremely happy with the lifestyle provided by their investment and the quality of the surroundings.”

He added: “The park is the flagship of our 24-strong parks group, and we are committed to maintaining, and constantly improving, the already high standards of the facilities.”

He said fees reflected their level of investment – including, he said, £100,000 in the past 18 months on “a major improvement project affecting the park’s country club.” A promised new swimming pool changing rooms will go ahead subject to planning consent. On the question of licence agreements he said original contracts were honoured, and purchasers were now offered a 15-year licence agreement for new caravan holiday homes, and 20 years for lodges.