Overnight car park stays for motorhomes proposed
COUNCILLORS are being recommended to launch a 12-month trial to allow motorhomes and camper vans to stay overnight in nine car parks in the South Hams.
Motorhomes and camper vans are currently permitted to park in allocated car parks in the district, but overnight sleeping or camping is not permitted in any of the off-street car parks at present.
South Hams District Council’s executive, when they meet on Thursday, are being recommended to approve a 12-month trial to accommodate the ever-increasing numbers of motorhomes and camper van users opting to use car parks and other locations for overnight stays.
The policy, which officers have recommended, would permit overnight sleeping for a maximum stay of two consecutive nights only, with a no return within 48 hours in the nominated car parks, and to apply an overnight tariff of £15 from 6pm until 9am for those choosing to stay within the car park.
The recommendations aim to enable the council to continue to manage off-street parking in an efficient and effective manner while taking the opportunity to promote tourism and maximise the potential benefits to the local economy, according to the report of Emma Widdicombe, senior parking specialist.
Eight of the nine proposed car parks for the trial have been confirmed, with the parishes of Slapton, Strete and Stokenham having yet to formally consider and back the proposals for the Memorial Car Park in Slapton.
The nine car parks selected as suitable locations for overnight stays are: Leonards Car Park, Ivybridge; Quay Car Park (southern area only), Kingsbridge;
Cattlemarket Car Park, Kingsbridge; Poundwell Meadow Overflow Car Park, Modbury; Longmarsh Car Park, Totnes; Park & Ride Car Park, Dartmouth; Memorial Car Park, Slapton (subject to parish approval); Torcross Tank Car Park (restricted to coach bays only), Torcross; North Sands Car Park, Salcombe.
The proposal is that the scheme should be operated as a pilot for up to 12 months, but at least for the 2021 summer season to allow a review of the success of the policy and to evaluate whether the policy should either cease, continue, or expand to provide additional facilities.
The report adds: “Terms and conditions would be a maximum stay of two consecutive nights only with no return within 48 hours, a maximum length of eight metres and a minimum distance of six metres must be maintained between motorhomes.
“Clear signage would be erected within the car parks stating the terms and conditions of overnight sleeping which would include the maximum permitted stay, making it clear fines will apply should waste contraventions occur, and we would encourage users to behave in the appropriate manner and respect their surroundings.
“The usual contraventions of the car park would still apply for overnight stays, such as the prohibition of any open cooking or fires within the car park. Motorhomes would not be permitted to put out awnings, BBQs, tables, generators, etc, and no additional provisions will be provided; however, public toilet provisions are generally located within close proximity of the car parks.”
When the executive meets on April 22, they will be presented with two main options – to stick with the existing arrangement with no overnight parking or go with the 12-month trial to permit overnight sleeping in the selected car parks.