The static caravans are home to several OAPs

They have moved into static caravans in the former holiday park, which is located on the outskirts of Crieff.

Perth and Kinross Council said the caravans were not permanent residences and could not be used as a main home.

However, the Welch Homes Park Village owners disagree and the dispute may now become the centre of a public inquiry.

The 44 residents of the park are mainly pensioners and bought luxury static caravans as retirement homes.

What we hope is that the council will sort out this dispute with the owner very quickly so that we can get on with our retirement and enjoy it Jim Niven Welch Homes Park Village resident

Bill Thomson, 80, its oldest resident, moved to the home seven months ago with wife Pauline.

He said: "When you get to our age you want to live peacefully with no hassle. We're really hurt that we're being put through this."

Mrs Thomson added that the couple would not know what to do if they were not able to spend their retirement there.

"We certainly wouldn't be able to buy anything else because all our money is invested in this property, so presumably the council would have to house us and the same for everybody else on the site," she said.

'Executive appeal'

Jim Niven, another resident at the park, returned to his native Perthshire after spending 30 years in the south of England.

He said: "What we hope is that the council will sort out this dispute with the owner very quickly so that we can get on with our retirement and enjoy it.

"Our appeal goes out to the Scottish Executive as well. Hopefully they will look at it very, very soon and come to the right decision and let us get on with our lives."

Residents also claim Perth and Kinross Council is sending out confusing messages by saying the homes cannot be regarded as their main residences, yet still charges them full council tax and allows them to register as voters.

But the local authority said it has acted appropriately and met its responsibilities as a planning authority.

'Enforcement action'

The local MP Gordon Banks disagreed with the position.

"They certainly seem very content that they're addressing this in the correct way, while I'm sure that residents in Crieff and myself and the developer certainly disagree with that," he said.

The owners of the park, Welch Homes, said there was no reference to restrictions on any respect of the caravan park at any time of the year.

"The caravan park is therefore not liable to enforcement action as no breach of planning control has taken place," the company said in a statement.

It added: "Our solicitors wrote to the council on 3 May indicating our willingness to meet and seek a resolution of the present situation.

"The council has not taken up the opportunity to meet to discuss this matter."