Motorhomes may be able to stop over at car parks
COUNTY MAY SPEND £100,000 ON FRENCH-STYLE SOLUTION
GWYNEDD Council is to consider allowing campervans and motorhomes to stay overnight in some of its car parks, in light of unprecedented scenes over recent summers.
A cabinet report will recommend up to six pilot areas be set up following concerns over the growing number of motorhome owners deciding to stay in areas where they have no lawful right to do so.
As a result, the authority is looking to spend £100,000 on establishing six French-style “aires” sites on parts of existing car-parks, as is often found on the European continent.
“Aires” are small-scale camp sites offering only the most basic of facilities such as waste disposal and water, tending to be cheaper than traditional caravan sites.
But with the report noting that the county’s existing caravan sites have been struggling with capacity issues during the heavy tourist seasons of 2020 and 2021, its hoped that the basic offering will help reduce the dumping of human waste and litter while also generating some economic benefit.
“The aim of this pilot would be to encourage those visiting in motorhomes to stay in a town or village, offering an element of economic benefit to the local community and better management of the sector,” said Cllr Gareth Thomas, who holds the economic development portfolio.
“With the restrictions of Covid-19 making people less likely to have travelled to the continent over the last two summers, we have seen an increase in people visiting in motorhomes to enjoy Gwynedd’s popular attractions.
“In fact, sales of motor vehicles increased by 71% in 2019 and 2020.
“The high numbers of people visiting has been a cause of concern for some areas with some deciding to stay in motorhomes where there is no legal right to sleep in a vehicle overnight.
“That is why we are keen to consider what steps can be considered to improve the management of the field.”
An online consultation over the summer found that 92.2% of motorhome users would use an “aire”-like provision if it was available, with the main requirements being fresh water and somewhere to dispose of toilet waste and refuse.
The environment chief, Cllr Gareth Griffith, added: “This would allow us to see if this arrangement better managed the situation, and to consider whether it would help us to have better management in the county in the future. If the Cabinet consents, work will proceed to secure the relevant rights before any developments.”
The cabinet was due to consider the report when it met yesterday, Tuesday.