Plans to allow campervans to park overnight at major Welsh tourist spot scrapped

Plans to Allow Campervans to Park Overnight at Major Welsh Tourist Spot Scrapped

Plans to permit campervans and motorhomes to stay overnight in car parks in Pembrokeshire have been canceled. In February, Pembrokeshire council’s cabinet approved the Pembs Stop scheme for various car parks in the county. The proposed scheme, set for North Beach in Tenby, the Moor car park in Goodwick, Townsmoor in Narberth, and Western Way in Pembroke Dock, would have allowed motorists to park their campers for up to two nights at just £10 per night, as part of an 18-month trial.

However, concerns were raised by local businesses in Pembrokeshire, who argued that the plans would be detrimental rather than beneficial. Phil Davies from Hungerford Farm Touring Caravan and Motorhome Park near Loveston expressed that the scheme would lead to a decrease in income that the industry could not sustain. He stated, “Should the 18-month trial proceed, the resulting business decline will likely lead to job losses within the industry as many businesses may not survive even a temporary drop in trade.”

• Businesses claimed the plans would cause a drop in income.
• Industry stakeholders expressed concerns over potential job losses.
• Local traders felt they were not consulted adequately about the scheme.

In April, Christine James, representing Narberth traders, wrote a letter to the council expressing their disappointment in not being consulted about a matter with significant potential impacts on local residents and businesses. Visit Pembrokeshire also voiced worries about the proposed trial.

Subsequently, in a special council meeting in April, where the scheme faced opposition from tourism traders, it was overwhelmingly rejected. At a cabinet meeting on September 9, the council supported the recommendation to abandon the scheme. Instead, a decision was made to trial an overnight stop-over facility for motorhomes at Goodwick Moor car park for 18 months, available for one night at a time for £10 per night.

• The council decided to trial an overnight stop-over facility at Goodwick Moor car park.
• The facility will cater to motorhomes for one night at a time.
• The trial will commence on March 1 and could possibly extend to other car parks.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett highlighted that this trial aims to balance the needs of local businesses with those of campervan users. The proposal for the trial received unanimous support from the Cabinet. Council leader Cllr Jon Harvey emphasized the importance of motorhomes in the tourism industry, especially near a ferry port. The decision to reduce the stay to one night was considered a prudent approach.