Car parks in Kilcreggan, Helensburgh and near Garelochhead are set to be promoted to camper van and motorhome owners in an £800,000 campaign to make Argyll and Bute “Scotland’s premier staycation destination”.
The strategy, which marks a u-turn on the council’s approach last year when campervan owners were told only to use official sites, was first revealed in February.
At that point officials said there would be consultation questionnaires, but a report to be discussed next week says there has been no public consultation as it is ‘a pilot project’.
It confirms that a total of 17 sites across Argyll and Bute are set to be publicised, including Kilcreggan pier, Kidston Park in Helensburgh and the Whistlefield car park near Garelochhead.
There have been repeated complaints about a lack of parking in the centre Kilcreggan in recent years, and the car park is often full.
Two miles away in Cove Bay, signs saying no overnight stays are not allowed have been put up at a car park owned by the Cove and Kilcreggan Trust.
The report by Kirsty Flanagan, the council’s executive director with responsibility for development and economic growth, highlights the importance of tourism to the local economy and will be considered next Thursday by the environment, development and infrastructure committee.
It says the council is spending £500,000 on facilities for camping and caravan staycations, plus a further £300,000 on marketing.
“A number of sites have been identified and will be publicised as available for potential parking sites during the day with potential for overnight stays as part of a pilot project which will be monitored,” the report states.
“This will only be available for campervans who are self-sufficient and have a toilet due to there being no waste facilities available in most identified council locations.”
Campervans will have to be at least six metres away from other vehicles for fire safety reasons, and the report says these spacings will be marked on the car parks.
“The sites will have appropriate signage identifying the maximum number of campervans that can stay at the site,” it adds.
“Further signage will be provided identifying where the nearest waste disposal site can be found (this signage only to be provided in situations where there is a disposal facility nearby).”
Four additional wardens are being recruited, with a focus on out of hours cover, rotating with current staff to cover the 120 car parks owned by the council, as well as other sites where litter has been a problem.
The ‘vast majority’ of campers and campervan owners who came to Argyll and Bute last year are said in the report to have behaved responsibly, but there were complaints by residents about a minority of visitors.
The report adds: “It should be noted that no public consultation has taken place regarding these proposals, rather it is proposed that the pilot project will monitor any feedback from communities which will be considered for future years staycation planning.
“It should also be noted that all efforts will be made to direct staycation visitors to existing commercial facilities.
“The council pilot provision is being offered as an addition to help plug any gaps in the market and also to help to minimise inappropriate parking.”
I can only assume the council have never been to Kilcreggan car park
Totally agree – madness!
Brilliant idea, the more places to stay the better. Just like in France, Spain and Portugal. 😎
Do I understand this correctly:-
“Campervans will have to be at least six metres away from other vehicles for fire safety reasons, and the report says these spacings will be marked on the car parks.” That means 2 car parking spaces either side of the camper van and 1 space for the camper van. So each camper van will take up 5 car parking spaces. Am I right???
That’s what the council report says, Malcolm. And they want to mark the spaces out.
If they are on a “staycation” they will be staying in their campervans in their own driveways. As soon as the venture out of their home it stops being a staycation and becomes a holiday or a vacation. These campervanners contribute nothing to the local economies, bringing their own food and paying nothing for accommodation but they fill up beauty spots with dozens of huge obtrusive white metal or plastic vehicles pumping out loud music or television shows and leave nothing but rubbish – usually bagged (so thoughtful!) – bonfire remains and human waste (often contaminated with toilet chemicals). Bona fide visitors are always assured of a huge welcome and great hospitality. Thoughtless, selfish parasites are not.
I wouldn’t expect anything less apart from stupid comments like above from someone who doesn’t even leave a surname. You obviously know nothing about caravanning and camper vans and probably will never know judging by your attitude. I would love to know where your evidence is on your remarks. For your narrow minded approach to the comments in the article I have posted a few links for you to ponder on.
By the way “Staycation” from the Oxford dictionary “a holiday spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions”
https://www.caravantimes.co.uk/news/caravans-provide-700million-to-scottish-economy/
https://campra.org.uk/scottish-government-recognises-value-of-campervan-market/
https://www.scotsman.com/business/outdoor-holidaymakers-bring-ps772m-annual-boost-scottish-economy-1421577
Pierhead / front of shops carpark is already too small for ferry users and those needing to visit the local shops. It should be remembered that there exists a significant number of senior citizens on the peninsula many whom are unable to walk any significant distance. Finding no spaces will drive them over the hill to Rosneath Coop etc. The outcome will certainly be lower trade for pierhead shopping & hospitality outlets & could easily result in the loss of our PO. I’ve no quarrel with folks in Campervans / camping, but pierhead carpark is not a solution. I’m surprised Portkil Estates arent offering paid pitches on some of the hardcored areas close to Kilcreggan village. I expect A&B would look on that proposal favourably.
Totally agree, instead of being negative against what is possibly a golden opportunity and slagging every campervan off. Try and turn a negative into a positive. Having lived in Kilcreggan for 17years I know that there is adequate land available for this type of opportunity.
It doesn’t matter what some people say, we caravan and campervan and I can assure you when we travel throughout Scotland I spend a considerable amount on food and drink in local shops and pubs. In a typical weekend away we will eat out at least once maybe twice and that is besides what we spend on coffee and cakes.
So if I was in the position on the peninsula and had the land available I know exactly what I would be doing.