Motorhome parking trial rejection ‘would take business away’

A proposed trial scheme for overnight motorhome and campervan parking at some of Pembrokeshire’s car parks would boost the tourist trade by attracting members of a 37,000-stong organisation, a specialist promotion group has said.

Members of the council’s cabinet at their February meeting backed a proposal for a trial run “Pembs Stop” scheme at four car parks. They are North Beach in Tenby, Goodwick Moor in Goodwick, Townsmoor in Narberth and Western Way in Pembroke Dock.

The “Pembs Stop” trial areas, which are available for up to two nights, would have operated year-round at £10 a night for a trial 18-month period, with strict criteria, and was expected to start in July. The planned trial even received national coverage, with a discussion on a phonein programme on BBC Radio Wales.

But local tourism businesses have said the proposals will harm them.

Concerns about the trial have also been raised by the official tourism industry group for Pembrokeshire, Visit Pembrokeshire.

Di Clements,

Conservative Group leader on Pembrokeshire County Council, successfully called for the matter be sent to the council’s April 9 policy and pre-decision scrutiny committee for further discussion, later submitting a successful motion recommending cabinet does not progress with the scheme.

Speaking at the meeting in favour of the trials, was Steve Haywood of CAMpRA UK Ltd, a 37,000-strong organisation that promotes the yearround recreational use of motorcaravans through the provision of motorcaravan aires.

The word “aire” is short for the French term “aire de service”, where motorhome and campervan users may stop overnight either for free or for a small fee.

Mr Haywood told committee members: “I can fully understand the concerns, but you need to understand the difference between touring motor caravans and a caravan.

“Since Brexit came in, we are now restricted to 90 days in Europe and 400,000-plus motor caravan owners now spend a minimum of six months a year in the UK. That’s why we’ve particularly seen an increase in the market.

“We, like thousands of members, are very excited when we hear about this trial. We mix between aires and campsites, the aire is like a B&B and a campsite is like a four-star hotel. If you come to south Wales you want to stay in south Wales, we could be there for two months, spending money, in those areas we will include campsites.

“If we stay close to a town we will spend money in the town, the pubs and restaurants where we will have a meal. By preventing overnight parking – and this has happened in Conwy – we moved, and the local businesses lost out.

“96 per cent of motorhomes would pay to use an aire, it’s not freeloading, it’s about providing a safe, authorised place, focusing vehicles where you can control them. We will definitely be visiting Pembrokeshire if this goes ahead.”

Mr Haywood finished by saying the organisation was currently in discussions with 34 councils in the UK about potential sites, adding: “We’re not in competition with campsites; by preventing us staying overnight you’re taking business away.”

Ms Clements’ call for the mater to be referred back to cabinet, with a recommendation it is not progressed, was supported at the meeting by eight votes to three.

The matter will now be considered by cabinet at a future date.