Locked in battle over parking camper van
Driver won’t budge
A Whitehills driver is locked in a battle with South Lanarshire Council over parking his van on the driveway of his house.
Council tenant Edward Byrne, 66, is facing legal proceedings if he doesn’t stop parking his camper van on the drive.
The council say Mr Byrne didn’t seek permission to park the van in the drive and this would have been refused anyway.
But Edward is refusing to back down, claiming his van has been vandalised several times if parked in spaces across from his house.
“Why put a driveway in front of a house if you aren’t allowed to use it?,” Edward told the News.
“I can’t believe I am facing court for parking in my own drive – it’s ridiculous.”
He went on: “I have lived here 10 or 11 years and only now it seems to be an issue.
“Apparently it’s a health and safety issue but I just don’t see how.
“I am also worried I may face eviction but there is absolutely no way I am backing down.”
Edward said he has previously parked the camper van in spaces across the street but was left counting the cost.
“I don’t know how many times I have had the police out because the van has been targeted by vandals,” he added.
“I have had tyres slashed numerous times, windows broken – even folk on the roof stamping on it.
“I am the one left having to fork out and it’s just now worth it.
“Why should I leave the van out on the street to be a target when I have a drive?
“Plenty of my neighbours park cars and vans in their drive and not a word is said yet I get a letter threatening me with court action – it just doesn’t add up.”
Daniel Lowe, executive director of housing and technical resources, said: “Mr Byrne has not requested permission from the council to park his camper van on the hardstanding at his home.
“Permission would not be granted at this location and Mr Byrne has been advised of the council’s position.
“Legal action would only be considered if Mr Byrne refused to comply with the council’s request for him to re-site his camper van.
“If Mr Byrne’s camper van is vandalised we would encourage him to report it to Police Scotland.”