OWNERS of a Canvey residential park are set to undergo a major transition as they axe rental homes in a bid for a “completely owner-occupied” future.

Kings Park Village, located west of Canvey Heights Country Park, is an over 50s gated mobile home estate, which spans 70 acres.

The Cove Communities-owned resort boasts in excess of 860 homes, with 20 being rented.

But in an unexpected move for many, bosses have announced they are ditching rental properties so the park can be “completely owner-occupied” in the long-term.

Owners of the park have inisted they are working with Rebecca Harris, Castle Point MP, and the council to help find alternative homes for anyone being forced to move out.

A spokesperson for Kings Park Village said: “Following discussions over many months, we have taken the decision to move away from rental homes entirely so that the park can be completely owner-occupied in the long-term.

“We understand this may be a difficult decision for some of our tenants and that is why we are engaging with them at the earliest opportunity.

“Kings Park Village has in excess of 860 homes at our development of which only 20 are rented, with the vast majority being owner-occupied.

“In recent weeks, we have written to those residents affected to be fully transparent about this transition, which we believe may take up to five years to complete as we reduce the number of rental properties in stages.

“Three rental parties will be impacted in the short-term and we have taken a number of steps to assist those affected by increasing the notice period to three months from the required one month and also offering rent payment rebates to assist with the move.

“We have also offered one-to-one meetings with all our rental tenants, and we have met with the Castle Point MP, Rebecca Harris, to discuss the plans and seek assistance from the authority for anyone who may need help finding an alternative property.”

Mrs Harris was contacted for comment but failed to respond.