UK Motorhome parking Camping-Car Park may be of interest?

[nicholsong]

Exactly.
The whole thing needs looking at again and reinventing CCP might be the people to kickstart it.
CCP are well established and the only way this could go forward would be at Government level it will require a change in legislation and CCP will have any amount of statistics to prove the worth of their Aires for example the 6m rule they can prove that 1000’s of nights in France have not had any issues with Fire passing from one MH to another for instance along with allowing Land to be made available.
One thing is clear Motorhoming is here in a big way now and it will continue to grow and Parking and Overnighting facilities must be addressed we need someone to be proactive and CCP might be successful.
Everyone on Motorhome Fun should get behind them.

I will sound a word of caution about encouraging a commercial company into driving changes of legislation at government or local government level.

A commercial company will only represent its own interests, not those of the users or the MHoming community in general.

They will apply the same pressures into insisting that laws dictate that MHs should only be parked on licensed campsites/aires as the owners of campsites currently pressurise local councils to put in restrictions/barriers on parking.

Be careful what you wish for.

Geoff

 

[Barclaybasher]

A commercial company will only represent its own interests, not those of the users or the MHoming community in general.

Surely, like any good business it will want to attract and keep customers so expect prices to be competitive - probably cheap to start with ........

 

[chaser]

I will sound a word of caution about encouraging a commercial company into driving changes of legislation at government or local government level.

A commercial company will only represent its own interests, not those of the users or the MHoming community in general.

They will apply the same pressures into insisting that laws dictate that MHs should only be parked on licensed campsites/aires as the owners of campsites currently pressurise local councils to put in restrictions/barriers on parking.

Be careful what you wish for.

Geoff

What I've been saying, but you have a better way with words than me

 

[chaser]

If the council's have a share in this scheme they aren't going to have you parking somewhere else.

 

[LesW]

If the council's have a share in this scheme they aren't going to have you parking somewhere else.

Where is 'somewhere else'?

OK, some doss in laybys, or know of little hideaway places, but generally in England, there is no somewhere else, unless you book up.

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[Larby]

The big ones in France have an ambassador.
They get to park for free. An aire I use was in severe likelihood of being closed. CCP came along, tidied it up and charge €12.48 but no leccy. It is 75 yds to beach !!
The ambassador told me the Mairie gets 2/3 of turnover. No hassle for Mairie and money in
Thinking of payment we must realise parking near beaches and towns is free is France
I expect it would follow that UK sites could not be as cheap as France for 24 hours as some places in the UK want a lot to park in towns or by a beach

 

[Littlewheels]

I will sound a word of caution about encouraging a commercial company into driving changes of legislation at government or local government level.

A commercial company will only represent its own interests, not those of the users or the MHoming community in general.

l would be very interested to hear how one could roll out a National equivalent of CCP without having a commercial interest.
The fact that they have put out a questionnaire gives a small insight into information gathering so see what the UK Motorhome fraternity look for which may assist them in their endeavours
I’m all for it and would add that profit isn’t a nasty word a commercial enterprise needs profits and l am happy to add to those profits if said company provide me with what l want.

 

[Speve]

They will apply the same pressures into insisting that laws dictate that MHs should only be parked on licensed campsites/aires as the owners of campsites currently pressurise local councils to put in restrictions/barriers on parking.

Be careful what you wish for

I don’t see this happening in France or Germany at the moment so why would it happen in the UK? Are we any different?

 

[Littlewheels]

As pointed out many times, the legislation has been revisited (and revised) several times since it was first enacted.

I suggest the fact we have two main clubs that think they represent everything Caravan/Motorhome has much to do with this,just as they jump on anyone anywhere that puts in planning for a new site,they have it all they want it all a newcomer with the funds and know how would be most welcome.

 

[jongood]

I will sound a word of caution about encouraging a commercial company into driving changes of legislation at government or local government level.

A commercial company will only represent its own interests, not those of the users or the MHoming community in general.

They will apply the same pressures into insisting that laws dictate that MHs should only be parked on licensed campsites/aires as the owners of campsites currently pressurise local councils to put in restrictions/barriers on parking.

Be careful what you wish for.

Geoff

Its a fair point Geoff but what we ve been trying so far hasn't worked

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[Barclaybasher]

I've no wish to stay on a site in the middle of nowhere so I hardly use my van in the UK.

I would be happy to give it a go if they opened, just making sure I plan when to drive - to avoid the amount of traffic we have here.

 

[nicholsong]

l would be very interested to hear how one could roll out a National equivalent of CCP without having a commercial interest.
The fact that they have put out a questionnaire gives a small insight into information gathering so see what the UK Motorhome fraternity look for which may assist them in their endeavours
I’m all for it and would add that profit isn’t a nasty word a commercial enterprise needs profits and l am happy to add to those profits if said company provide me with what l want.

I am not against commercial companies.

I was merely pointing out that it is dangerous, and also undemocratic, to leave lobbying for changes of legislation to them alone, as that would exclude other interests.

Geoff

 

[scally]

Well, I am not going to tell them about my habits!

no good hiding behind a mask

 

[Janine]

no good hiding behind a mask

You should see my gimp mask

 

[bigtwin]

I don’t see this happening in France or Germany at the moment so why would it happen in the UK? Are we any different?

Substantially different; we are an untapped market and barren in our provision.

Ian

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[Speve]

Yes quite agree that’s why I started the thread as everyone able to should fill out the survey to encourage CCP to give it a go.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Substantially different; we are an untapped market and barren in our provision.
Ian

Think what their Aires would do - not just for us but to encourage Europeans used to Aires coming here...

 

[bigtwin]

Think what their Aires would do - not just for us but to encourage Europeans used to Aires coming here...

Indeed, and this is an angle that the Facebook group Campaign for Real Aires (CamPRA) are using (in Addition to the fact that there are 250,000 MHs registered in the UK) in their approaches to various organisations.

Ian

 

[gus-lopez]

(which seems to indicate that the majority of the public (even the motorhome owning public) agrees that the legislation needs no further change).

No it just means,as usual ,the vast majority are lazy & apathetic

there is no somewhere else, unless you book up.

I find plenty of somewhere else's when in England. Only use one paying site when I go to Brighton as it is cheap, allows no noise,music,has no bars, entertaiment or anything really,etc. Ideal

 

[Speve]

Indeed, and this is an angle that the Facebook group Campaign for Real Aires (CamPRA) are using (in Addition to the fact that there are 250,000 MHs registered in the UK) in their approaches to various organisations.

Ian

I noticed that they are working with CCP in their endeavour to promote aires they are doing some good work by the look of it?

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[Sid52]

Sat in a private carpark in New Quay in west Wales. A five minute walk into the village and £8 for 24 hours including overnighting. Motorhomes use a large hard standing at the back of the car park, space for at least 10.
Tomorrow we're going to Aberystwyth and a similar experience, £10 overnight including water and waste disposal. Both are using existing areas and facilities. Money going to a private business owner and a sports club. If these two organisations can provide this facility and make some money, why not councils?
Acually these two sites would potentially be ideal for camping car parks.

 

[GJH]

I suggest the fact we have two main clubs that think they represent everything Caravan/Motorhome has much to do with this,just as they jump on anyone anywhere that puts in planning for a new site,they have it all they want it all a newcomer with the funds and know how would be most welcome.

Interesting. What actual evidence do you have for making that suggestion?
Can you please supply links to cases of them "jumping on anyone anywhere that puts in planning for a new site"?

 

[GJH]

(which seems to indicate that the majority of the public (even the motorhome owning public) agrees that the legislation needs no further change).

(which seems to indicate that the majority of the public (even the motorhome owning public) agrees that the legislation needs no further change).

No it just means,as usual ,the vast majority are lazy & apathetic

Is there a difference? It's the same end result

 

[GJH]

Sat in a private carpark in New Quay in west Wales. A five minute walk into the village and £8 for 24 hours including overnighting. Motorhomes use a large hard standing at the back of the car park, space for at least 10.
Tomorrow we're going to Aberystwyth and a similar experience, £10 overnight including water and waste disposal. Both are using existing areas and facilities. Money going to a private business owner and a sports club. If these two organisations can provide this facility and make some money, why not councils?
Acually these two sites would potentially be ideal for camping car parks.

There are many such places in the UK. Some obtain caravan site licences or become CLs and operate legally. Some (including some "hosts" of membership organisations) don't bother, either because they don't understand the requirement or simply aren't bothered by complying with the law and take a chance that they won't be caught.
There are many reasons as to "why not councils?", most published in response to various threads here and elsewhere over the years.

 

[Reallyretired]

In spite of their name, most CCP places are not just car parks. We only stopped at one that was (Argeles sur mer), the others were all pleasant sites, some even have toilets/showers ( highseason only) and all are open all year.
We like them, many are beside rivers or lakes, great for the dogs when its hot.

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[Dorset Diver]

I will sound a word of caution about encouraging a commercial company into driving changes of legislation at government or local government level.

A commercial company will only represent its own interests, not those of the users or the MHoming community in general.

They will apply the same pressures into insisting that laws dictate that MHs should only be parked on licensed campsites/aires as the owners of campsites currently pressurise local councils to put in restrictions/barriers on parking.

Be careful what you wish for.

Geoff

That same thing has been happening in the UK with the "clubs" the NCC and large independent providers for years. I'm well aware that a member of my extended family and owner of a large site, was instrumental in getting Dorset council to abandon plans for a aires in Weymouth. It is a prime reason for the clubs wanting to control CL's and CS's.

 

[Dorset Diver]

In spite of their name, most CCP places are not just car parks. We only stopped at one that was (Argeles sur mer), the others were all pleasant sites, some even have toilets/showers ( highseason only) and all are open all year.
We like them, many are beside rivers or lakes, great for the dogs when its hot.

That is true. More accurately in English they could be named Motor-Caravan Parks.

 

[Barclaybasher]

I joined a couple of years ago at Chatelains Plage. I'd never used a paying Aire before so understanding how to get in was puzzling but a phone call to them was answered pleasantly in perfect polite English and in I went.

It wasn't until last month I used the card again - waved it at the barrier - straight in.

Left next after paying by card on the phone - no need to load their card.

Anything similar here would be great !

 

[PeteH]

Yes they could, and many have been encouraged by a minority of motorhomers (not the ones who whinge about the lack of aires but do nothing positive to try to create them). Apart from the lack of an economic advantage in such a move, the majority of private car park owners are not interested because they are first and foremost retail management companies and do not want to become involved in managing caravan sites (which is what their car parks would be in law).

So Then, we are back to the premise that it is time for another review of the legal position. (Parking, as opposed to Sleeping).

Sat in a private carpark in New Quay in west Wales. A five minute walk into the village and £8 for 24 hours including overnighting. Motorhomes use a large hard standing at the back of the car park, space for at least 10.
Tomorrow we're going to Aberystwyth and a similar experience, £10 overnight including water and waste disposal. Both are using existing areas and facilities. Money going to a private business owner and a sports club. If these two organisations can provide this facility and make some money, why not councils?
Acually these two sites would potentially be ideal for camping car parks.

Is it worth suggesting the sites and locations to this organisation?. after all they would have to start somewhere?.

That same thing has been happening in the UK with the "clubs" the NCC and large independent providers for years. I'm well aware that a member of my extended family and owner of a large site, was instrumental in getting Dorset council to abandon plans for a aires in Weymouth. It is a prime reason for the clubs wanting to control CL's and CS's.

As someone who held club "centre" office at one time for several years actually. I am fully aware that the majority of those who take an "interest" in the running of the club sites (I am talking primarliy about the Caravan Club here) and take up positions as Officers, go regularly to conference etc; are STILL caravanners. They have NO interest in the type of site being proposed largely on account of the fact that few are fully self contained unlike Motorhomes. As they are run by the Management Team on behalf of the membership, those decisions are not in the gift of the CC managers, Only the Members at conference can make these decisions, often on the advice of the full time officers. The system works similarly to that of your local Authority. Councillors are advised by full time officers and make decisions on that advice. (right or in my experience more often wrong)

 

[Barclaybasher]

Us just asking for facilities has only worked in a few places.

An organisation with a proven track record offering to pay to use otherwise empty carparks or vacant land has much more appeal to LAs and private landowners

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