An advocacy group has urged the UK to lift restrictions on overnight parking for motorhomes and caravans, citing the positive impact these vehicles have on local economies.
Campaign for Real Aires UK emphasised that motorhome owners typically spend between £47 and £50 each night in communities when they have access to appropriate overnight parking.
The organisation highlighted the “significant benefits” that motorhomes bring and pointed out that 82% of motorhome owners travel year-round, countering the common belief that these vehicles are only used seasonally.
CAMpRA‘s research also revealed that there are over 350,000 registered motorhomes in the UK, collectively contributing £850 million annually to the economy.
A charity-run campsite in Woodhall Spa has proven the value of providing overnight motorhome facilities through its European-style Aire initiative, which operates with minimal upkeep, as visitors are self-sufficient and don’t require shower or toilet facilities.
The call for more overnight parking options comes after a series of motorhome and caravan parking bans across the UK. Last year, Lincoln City Council prohibited overnight parking in council-owned car parks, citing fire safety concerns. The council’s portfolio holder, Joshua Wells, explained that vehicles were parked too closely together, posing a fire risk.
We’ve also seen bans in Scarborough too, which was popular for van lifers along the seafront.
However, CAMpRA’s director criticised the ban as “short-sighted,” stressing that motorhomes near local amenities could be a significant boost to the area.
Multiple Councils have banned motorhomes
Other councils, including North Yorkshire, have imposed similar bans. In November, they launched a trial ban at three coastal locations.
Residents in Morecambe have voiced concerns about what they describe as an influx of motorhomes, campervans, and even vans with mattresses parked along the seafront.
Jubilee Park manager Rachael Meller shared that the site now hosts five to six motorhomes per night, with numbers rising on weekends and during events. The site remains operational during the winter months when the main campsite is closed, providing essential services like waste disposal and water. “The revenue we generate supports the charity and also benefits the local community,” Meller noted.
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