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

[Mike800966]

Also find Camping Car Park aires in locations that you'd actually want to stay at, rather than in the middle of nowhere.

As motorhomers we do use CL's but find that most are located with to suit caravanners ie car users. Which means to have to look very hard unless you do have secondary transport, if they could use secure odd bits closer to towns they could be on winner, have joined their newsletter list, lets see what happens
Mike

 

[Sapper520]

There is a lovely park & ride on the outskirts of Taunton. Even during the week it is mostly empty . Far more people use it to access the dog walking than for getting to town.
Sundays they physically shut the place as no one uses it as all town car parks are free. That's if A) you can actually get in a muti storey or even aren't too high to use ground floor car parks. Otherwise there aren't many places to park for larger vehicles. Always seemed a bit stupid to me

Excellent example. Just off junction 25 M5, massively under used by commuters and shoppers. Pub across the road. Ideal stopover if travelling south to Devon / Cornwall or travelling north to the rest of the country. A368 to A303. Parking in Taunton poor and expensive, with terrible through traffic problems (lived there for 5 years).

Taunton Deane Council in debt.........commercial opportunity?

 

[nicholsong]

Just a point on the Legislative apect of the control of permissions for campsites of any description.

Most of the permissions are under the control of LAs. By definition their duty is to local residents, of whom only a few are MHomers and they probably would not use local sites.

This is a flaw in the provision of facilities that would serve a national and international community.

I do not have a solution to this flaw. Do other contributers have one?

Geoff

 

[jongood]

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


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

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)

And that nicely demonstrates why the caravan club should not have rebranded, it represents only those mh owners who want to use them as caravans.

 

[bigtwin]

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?

Yes, they are doing good work and seem to be making good progress. Good on them.

Ian

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[PeteH]

And that nicely demonstrates why the caravan club should not have rebranded, it represents only those mh owners who want to use them as caravans.

Hence why you never get me referring to them AS the CMC, they have a long way to go yet before they can say they truly represent Motorhomes. Don`t get me wrong, back as a "tugger" with 2 youngsters we rallied virtually every time I was on leave. And my wife took the boys on her own too. We had a very good social etc; and enjoyed it (my 2 boys "discovered" girls on rallies!), when I "swallowed the anchor" we went very regularly rallying in the West Country at weekends, I was even Marshall at times and "equipment officer" for a short period.

I have within the last year or two suggested to the CC that they might usefully expand their "late arrivals" Area`s where space is available and offer a Chargeable Overnight facility with Power water and Sewer. The response was to say the least not encouraging. In fact where it not for my regular use of the C-L system I could well give up my membership.

 

[GJH]

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

Not at all. As mentioned in other posts on this thread (and in several others in the past) the legal position has been reviewed many times since 1960, including in the last few years. If anything needs revisiting it is that those motorhomers who claim to be keen on "aires" review the evidence they have (or mainly have not) presented to such landowners in the past, strengthen their case and resubmit it.

 

[Mark and Mindy]

Yeah, Craven District Council. The three Aire type overnighting places. Skipton, Settle and Ingleton.

We stayed in the Settle car park last Sunday night, Mark walked into town to get fish & chips (4 mins max), small grassy area to walk the dogs. Then into the town in the morning to grab a takeaway breakfast and some provisions from the bakery. There were 10-12 motorhomes parked up overnight, as far as I could see most people were taking advantage of being so close to a few takeaways and the shops.

£5 for the period 6pm to 9am, next time we're in the area and need an overnight stop we'll definitely use the car park again.

 

[chaser]

We stayed in the Settle car park last Sunday night, Mark walked into town to get fish & chips (4 mins max), small grassy area to walk the dogs. Then into the town in the morning to grab a takeaway breakfast and some provisions from the bakery. There were 10-12 motorhomes parked up overnight, as far as I could see most people were taking advantage of being so close to a few takeaways and the shops.

£5 for the period 6pm to 9am, if we're in the area again we'll definitely use the car park again.

I was keeping out of this now because you all seem dead set on it but just a case in point , if camping carparks take that over you will be looking at three times that much, for what?

 

[Mark and Mindy]

I was keeping out of this now because you all seem dead set on it but just a case in point , if camping carparks take that over you will be looking at three times that much, for what?

At the moment Craven District Council have 3 car parks in different locations for overnighting in and there are a few others around the country, so it comes down to a choice between very few legitimate overnight spots with a minimum charge or someone like CCP who charge a bit more but are more widely available.

Choices, choices!

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[nicholsong]

At the moment Craven District Council have 3 car parks in different locations for overnighting in and there are a few others around the country, so it comes down to a choice between very few legitimate overnight spots with a minimum charge or someone like CCP who charge a bit more but are more widely available.

Choices, choices!

There might not be that choice if CCP convince the councils that do allow overnighting to hand the CPs over to them as has happened in many places in France.

Geoff

 

[PeteH]

Not at all. As mentioned in other posts on this thread (and in several others in the past) the legal position has been reviewed many times since 1960, including in the last few years. If anything needs revisiting it is that those motorhomers who claim to be keen on "aires" review the evidence they have (or mainly have not) presented to such landowners in the past, strengthen their case and resubmit it.

You and I both know that is not likely?.

Individual's who successfully challenge an LA are rare. Pressure groups have succeeded on odd occasions.but what counts most is financial "clout". Eg. Possibly the combined effort of the clubs? But the will is not there. So the next best. Is probably an organisation from outside with a proven track record. The most glaring example of "money talks" current is the white elephant AKA HS2. Itself a superb example of the great money pit so liked by the dining table socialists.

 

[jongood]

Not at all. As mentioned in other posts on this thread (and in several others in the past) the legal position has been reviewed many times since 1960, including in the last few years. If anything needs revisiting it is that those motorhomers who claim to be keen on "aires" review the evidence they have (or mainly have not) presented to such landowners in the past, strengthen their case and resubmit it.

We ve had this conversation many times, there are plenty of people who have tried to promote this and mostly we have all failed so I don't see why any of us should be decrying the efforts of anybody or company to come at it from a different direction.

 

[pappajohn]

No not so, it was a Derry Aire which is a different animal altogether!

Would that be in the arse end of nowhere?

 

[emjaiuk]

I was keeping out of this now because you all seem dead set on it but just a case in point , if camping carparks take that over you will be looking at three times that much, for what?

Security, waste and water easily accessible, wifi and usually EHU, ability to book if required and 24hr access.

Mind you 3 x £5, shock horror, that's a lot of money for some people, but with a bit of luck they'll be somewhere else.

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[chaser]

Security, waste and water easily accessible, wifi and usually EHU, ability to book if required and 24hr access.

Mind you 3 x £5, shock horror, that's a lot of money for some people, but with a bit of luck they'll be somewhere else.

I will try to keep out of your way then mate

 

[jongood]

I will try to keep out of your way then mate

No offence meant but does the nightly rate really matter that much to you? Your previous posts suggests that you are not against paying for something that is good - L'eclusier is certainly not cheap.

 

[chaser]

No offence meant but does the nightly rate really matter that much to you? Your previous posts suggests that you are not against paying for something that is good - L'eclusier is certainly not cheap.

Granted, but in our van we don't need hookup at all, and only need emptying every three days , similar with water, so why pay for it.
And also granted, L'eclusier is bloody good, and would recommend it to anyone, but not every night.

 

[philann]

One of the reasons that Camping Car (french for motorhome) Parks have been successful in rapidly expanding their network is that they have taken over the management of many municipal campsites, so that the local council gets a guaranteed income without having to do anything.
I suspect that we will see similar in the uk where the council will devolve management of council owned and operated sites (e.g. Cardiff) before they handover lucrative car parks.

 

[GJH]

You and I both know that is not likely?.

Individual's who successfully challenge an LA are rare. Pressure groups have succeeded on odd occasions.but what counts most is financial "clout". Eg. Possibly the combined effort of the clubs? But the will is not there. So the next best. Is probably an organisation from outside with a proven track record. The most glaring example of "money talks" current is the white elephant AKA HS2. Itself a superb example of the great money pit so liked by the dining table socialists.

Perhaps you have hit the nail on the head. It isn't a matter of challenging LAs but working constructively with them. Thinking back to some of the language used in petitions perhaps that is where they have gone wrong, by issuing demands rather than positive approaches.

We ve had this conversation many times, there are plenty of people who have tried to promote this and mostly we have all failed so I don't see why any of us should be decrying the efforts of anybody or company to come at it from a different direction.

Yes we have, though I would disagree with the word "plenty" as there have been relatively few. The successes have come from positive approaches. The failures - as noted above - have perhaps come from the demanding ones.
If my posts come across as decrying what CCP are doing then I apologise as that was not the intention.

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[Surfiejim]

We use camping- car- parks often. Very good for busy areas at peak times. Security is great plus the quality of their services and the locations are always good. The app is well though out and their telephone support is excellent. France is number one for Aires and motorhoming ease in Europe. The UK is sadly far down the list. C-C-P's coming in and improving our facilities surely can't be anything but a benefit. That's how I feel.

 

[Speve]

Yes we have, though I would disagree with the word "plenty" as there have been relatively few. The successes have come from positive approaches. The failures - as noted above - have perhaps come from the demanding ones.
If my posts come across as decrying what CCP are doing then I apologise as that was not the intention

It’s really worth taking a look at the Campaign for real aires-CAMpRA forum on FB there is a lot of info and work going on the forum is not in the main for chats but for info and people that are doing things to encourage LAs and landowners to set them up.

 

[corconx]

Well at least they are trying to do something let’s not have to much negativity please?

Why is a comment always seen as negative? Same on their Facebook group

I don’t like them, have used them and carry a card but from choice I avoid. I preferred the free low cost sites that were there previously or the municipal sites they have also taken over.

Why do we want a French company to set them up and make the money? Surely it would be better to get one of the big ones to see what is really needed and to do an add on to their sites with them already having the facilities there.
Like in France and Germany attached to but not part of for a much smaller fee. Services are an add on as we don’t need them every day

keep money in UK.

Many CCC Aires are scruffy and not nice. May have free WiFi but not all pitched and hook up but only in winter do we have it - unless it’s free.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Why is a comment always seen as negative? Same on their Facebook group

I don’t like them, have used them and carry a card but from choice I avoid. I preferred the free low cost sites that were there previously or the municipal sites they have also taken over.

Why do we want a French company to set them up and make the money? Surely it would be better to get one of the big ones to see what is really needed and to do an add on to their sites with them already having the facilities there.
Like in France and Germany attached to but not part of for a much smaller fee. Services are an add on as we don’t need them every day

keep money in UK.

Many CCC Aires are scruffy and not nice. May have free WiFi but not all pitched and hook up but only in winter do we have it - unless it’s free.

Tacking an Aire onto a club site or CL/CS isn't what's needed.

We need Aires that are close to civilisation ... and personally I wouldn't care who provided them....

 

[Speve]

I don’t like them, have used them and carry a card but from choice I avoid. I preferred the free low cost sites that were there previously or the municipal sites they have also taken over

Well I don’t think you’ll find many free low cost places if CMC & CCC take it on do you?

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[Barclaybasher]

Another thing thst might come of Camping Carpark interest is that the Clubs might now look at providing what we need at competetive prices..

 

[Ivory55]

Tacking an Aire onto a club site or CL/CS isn't what's needed.

We need Aires that are close to civilisation ... and personally I wouldn't care who provided them....

Have you watched manctopia ? Charities etc want places near civilisation in Manchester but the price of property and land makes it a no go. Who is going to pay the same prices to provide an aire ? Just wondering.

 

[Ian Bosman]

Don't like them in France so don't see why we should welcome them here.
If they get a foothold , Aires in UK will be totally dead in the water.

Is this not a matter of choice? What is meat to one is poison to another and I agree that negativity gets us nowhere. You are free to use the pricey to the free and pays your money and gets your choice.

 

[Speve]

Have you watched manctopia ? Charities etc want places near civilisation in Manchester but the price of property and land makes it a no go. Who is going to pay the same prices to provide an aire ? Just wondering.

Take a look at the FB site as I posted earlier It will tell you who and of possible sites and landowners that they are approaching.

 

[Ivory55]

Take a look at the FB site as I posted earlier It will tell you who and of possible sites and landowners that they are approaching.

Don’t do Facebook, but is that who is paying for the land/property. I was only going by what I saw on tv about Manchester and prices.

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