'Gypsy Billionaire' company loses tribunal appeal over safety and quality of life at Penwortham caravan park

Residents of a Penwortham residential park are celebrating after a tribunal upheld a compliance notice issued to the billionaire owners over site conditions.

South Ribble Borough Council also welcomed the decisive ruling by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), which upheld a compliance notice issued to the owners of Penwortham Residential Park in Stricklands Lane— Wyldecrest Parks - which was founded and is chaired by self-titled ‘Gypsy Billionaire’, Alfie Best.

The appeal, brought by Wyldecrest Parks (Management) Ltd against the council, challenged a compliance notice served on April 2, 2025, relating to breaches of site licence conditions at the park. Following proceedings the Tribunal dismissed the appeal in full and confirmed the notice was valid and enforceable.

The case centred on conditions at Penwortham Residential Park, home to more than 90 households. Residents had raised concerns about several issues affecting safety and quality of life, including deep potholes across the site creating trip hazards, particularly for elderly residents, flooding due to inadequate drainage, insufficient lighting during hours of darkness and poor site maintenance.

The Tribunal’s decision firmly supported the council’s position, determining that the issues highlighted by council officers were accurate, that the council’s approach was reasonable and proportionate, and that there were clear breaches across the site.

Councillor Sharples, Cabinet Member for Planning and Development said, “This is a great result not just for the council, who were praised by the tribunal for their hard and diligent work on this case, but importantly for the residents of Penwortham Residential Park.

“Everyone deserves to live in a safe, well-maintained environment, and this decision reinforces the council’s commitment to upholding standards and protecting our communities.

“We hope this ruling will now lead to the improvements needed on site, bringing it up to the standard expected by residents and required under the site licence.”

What happens next?

With the Tribunal upholding the compliance notice, the site owners are now required to address the identified issues in line with the conditions set out by the council.

The council will continue to monitor progress and take further action if necessary to ensure compliance.

Wyldecrest comment

Wyldecrest say the decision is being appealed to the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber. They add: “Further, it should be noted that the defects referred to in the Compliance Notice do not exist - the roads have been resurfaced and new lighting installed.”