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When does a " Uk aire " stop becoming an "aire" ?
- Thread starter irnbru
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Jim
Ringleader
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Jim
Ringleader
Yes it's coming very soon. They will appear here.
Went to the area Easter Weekend. Used one pub stopover, an Aire with hook up (fresh, grey and elsan dump), harbour parking with no facilities and a loch parking in the Forest with toilets when the cafe was open and elsan.I’ve been looking today at possible aires/cl for next few weeks away Dumfries and Galloway area up into highlands. Just wanted combinations of cheap reasonable and free but the prices for cl’s £20 a night upwards and one was an eye watering £35 a night (yes it was only a cl)
Forestry parking will do now as there is no way I’m paying that for a cl
Roll on France next month 12 weeks of not having to plan your next move
Total parking cost for long weekend, a meal out and £18!
The Aire had a fee free option with no facilities... But please note I have never been to an area with more free public toilets in my life
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irnbru
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You'll find them all on www.searchforsites.co.uk
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Lenny HB
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An Aire to me is parking dedicated for Motorhome, nice to have water & dump but not essential. Certainly don't want toilets & showers.
If its going to have EHU I like what the French do a lot, 2hours for a couple of quid, then it's there for emergency use.
We don't do booking if you needed to book that would rule it out for us.
If its going to have EHU I like what the French do a lot, 2hours for a couple of quid, then it's there for emergency use.
We don't do booking if you needed to book that would rule it out for us.
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Thanks Sandra. Many of them would not pass your test for an Aire looking at some of the details.
You need to filter as a "Campra accredited" Aire rather than MHF, and and a lot of them seem to be nothing to do with MHF, e.g. Glencaple and Canterbury parks. I was looking for a list of MHF's accredited Aires so that we could out some money into their coffers.
I am a CAMpRA member. I am not Leadership Team, but I package the CAMpRA submissions to Jim for new stopovers - thank you Jim for the 10 you actioned this week 
The following is my personal view.
I know what an Aire is in France we've used many.
I know what a Stellplatz is in Germany, we've used many.
But the UK is neither France nor Germany, so I prefer to call the UK version a 'Stopover' To do otherwise generates the unrealistic comparison with F and D which requires a massive cultural change at all levels of our society particularly decision makers to become a realistic comparison.
It would be great if we had free or very low cost stopovers in the UK, but since very few Councils appear to be keen to provide them, its up to private individuals or businesses to do so and they won't do it for nothing, they'll want to make a few bob and who can blame them.
A private individual operating a stopover in the UK requires liability insurance for starters. That can be had for £65ish so if the operator charges say £5/night parking only, which is the CAMpRA Accredited Aire typical rate, they need 13 vans stopping before they start generating an income. On top of that there is signage, ground preparation, PayPal fees if collecting electronically, ground maintenance etc etc. At £5/night operating a parking only stopover is not a cash cow!
I'm sorry if this is slightly off the question posed but there are 54000 members on here who could try writing to their own Councillors asking what provision they make for the evolving motorcaravan market. I've been doing this with Perth Council for close to two years with no success so far. Councils are decision makers. Councils can deliver free or low cost stopovers which we all know benefits communities - so thats a starting point for effecting cultural change so that we move to "Aire" or "Stellplatz" provision.
Incidentally we're just grateful for somewhere safe and low cost to stop in the UK and I don't mind booking.
The following is my personal view.I know what an Aire is in France we've used many.
I know what a Stellplatz is in Germany, we've used many.
But the UK is neither France nor Germany, so I prefer to call the UK version a 'Stopover' To do otherwise generates the unrealistic comparison with F and D which requires a massive cultural change at all levels of our society particularly decision makers to become a realistic comparison.
It would be great if we had free or very low cost stopovers in the UK, but since very few Councils appear to be keen to provide them, its up to private individuals or businesses to do so and they won't do it for nothing, they'll want to make a few bob and who can blame them.
A private individual operating a stopover in the UK requires liability insurance for starters. That can be had for £65ish so if the operator charges say £5/night parking only, which is the CAMpRA Accredited Aire typical rate, they need 13 vans stopping before they start generating an income. On top of that there is signage, ground preparation, PayPal fees if collecting electronically, ground maintenance etc etc. At £5/night operating a parking only stopover is not a cash cow!
I'm sorry if this is slightly off the question posed but there are 54000 members on here who could try writing to their own Councillors asking what provision they make for the evolving motorcaravan market. I've been doing this with Perth Council for close to two years with no success so far. Councils are decision makers. Councils can deliver free or low cost stopovers which we all know benefits communities - so thats a starting point for effecting cultural change so that we move to "Aire" or "Stellplatz" provision.
Incidentally we're just grateful for somewhere safe and low cost to stop in the UK and I don't mind booking.
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The attached document has just been passed to me by CAMpRA Leadership and may be what you are looking for?
Recently stayed on one in the lakes. turned up, phoned number on gate for an access code. Drove on. Had toilet dump and water supply.
Guy came round and collected cash later. £20 it was in centre of town on a bank holiday weekend so not to bad.
Guy came round and collected cash later. £20 it was in centre of town on a bank holiday weekend so not to bad.
Check the list I posted today at 4.53pm. And with the name check Search 4 Sites for more detail eg reviews
Thank you sir. That’s most helpful
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irnbru
LIFE MEMBER
Theres actually not very many on that list you posted. I think theres been a lot more accredited aires than that is there not Jim ?
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I think people should understand that there is a difference between 'booking, which IMHO implies a fixed arrival AND departure time, and the ability to 'reserve' a space if such assurance is preferred. We haven't used the CCP reservation system ourselves yet, but wouldn't be surprised if we decided to use it this summer for some coastal aires. For those who like to use an aire as a base for local touring, the ability to be allowed a 'temporary exit' with the assurance that a space will be available when you return should be a major benefit.
I have no objection to paying for more than 24 hours if that is the daily rate. The barrier system at La Mailleraye allows 24 hours from arrival time, any more and you pay for the extra. What's wrong with that?
Barrier operated reservation systems do not allow specific parking space reservations, merely a space somewhere on the aire.
I am a fan of EHUs, and the availability of such will influence my choice of stop. Multiple phones and tablets, electric bikes and TV all add to our power demands. As I've said before, the cost of a full lithium setup in our MH would pay for an awful lot of EHUs, and for those who object to part of their payment being used for facilities they do not need, nobody forces them to stay on such aires.
TBf if your choice of stop is dictated by availability of EHU you probably need Sites more than aires/SP, Stopovers etc.
For me an "aire" is a place where I can legally stop overnight on an ad hoc basis. Location and convenience are the main factors, The UK site model of fully serviced, behind hedges and book months ago is not normally what I seek.
Jim
Ringleader
We will struggle to get that system here. Campra are doing a sterling job with councils, getting them to provide stopovers and they will work just like you wish, you'll be able to turn up and if there are spaces available you'll stay. But there won't be thousands of them. Outside of the councils, Most Aires are being provided by private individuals exempted by organisations like MotorhomeFun, some will be happy for you to just rock up, others might want you to call ahead. No real hardship and could save you a long winding journey down a little lane in Scotland only to find it is full.
I never said our choice was dictated by the availability of EHU, but if we have a choice of two, we'll choose the one with EHU.
Take a look at my post #23,893 on Photo of the day thread.
This used to be a French Municipal site. The toilet/shower block has been closed and a modern motorhome service area built.
Fresh water, grey water and toilet waste dump all provided with a large drive over grey waste drain. No caravans or tents allowed. Approx €11 pn.
That is, to me, a serviced Aire where I am willing to pay a reasonable fee. There are still plenty of “freebies” in France but standards can be variable.
This used to be a French Municipal site. The toilet/shower block has been closed and a modern motorhome service area built.
Fresh water, grey water and toilet waste dump all provided with a large drive over grey waste drain. No caravans or tents allowed. Approx €11 pn.
That is, to me, a serviced Aire where I am willing to pay a reasonable fee. There are still plenty of “freebies” in France but standards can be variable.
Jim
Ringleader
The Campra sites we exempt are CL's. As for spacing, there is best practice, but no legal requirement I am aware of.
I was going on this:-
"I am a fan of EHUs, and the availability of such will influence my choice of stop "
What we all need is motorcaravanners looking for opportunities, only that way will UK stopover numbers increase! Every time we go out for a coffee, meal, visitor centre I think "could we have a 5 van stopover here" And I have a word with the Manager and leave a CAMpRA leaflet. How much success have I had? Very limited, but there's 000's members on here and its not a big ask to ask everyone to look for opportunities?
The potential applicant fills in this form
Aire Exemption Application
We are sorry. Unfortunately, we cannot take on any new applications at this time
www.motorhomefun.co.uk
It wings it way to CAMpRA who action them submit to Jim who decides yes/no and issues Exemption Cert
Too many people moaning about lack of stopovers and only a few trying to do something about it
(My view again, not necessarily CAMpRa's)
I can understand someone just setting up a specific Aire will have cost etc.I am a CAMpRA member. I am not Leadership Team, but I package the CAMpRA submissions to Jim for new stopovers - thank you Jim for the 10 you actioned this week
I know what an Aire is in France we've used many.
I know what a Stellplatz is in Germany, we've used many.
But the UK is neither France nor Germany, so I prefer to call the UK version a 'Stopover' To do otherwise generates the unrealistic comparison with F and D which requires a massive cultural change at all levels of our society particularly decision makers to become a realistic comparison.
It would be great if we had free or very low cost stopovers in the UK, but since very few Councils appear to be keen to provide them, its up to private individuals or businesses to do so and they won't do it for nothing, they'll want to make a few bob and who can blame them.
A private individual operating a stopover in the UK requires liability insurance for starters. That can be had for £65ish so if the operator charges say £5/night parking only, which is the CAMpRA Accredited Aire typical rate, they need 13 vans stopping before they start generating an income. On top of that there is signage, ground preparation, PayPal fees if collecting electronically, ground maintenance etc etc. At £5/night operating a parking only stopover is not a cash cow!
I'm sorry if this is slightly off the question posed but there are 54000 members on here who could try writing to their own Councillors asking what provision they make for the evolving motorcaravan market. I've been doing this with Perth Council for close to two years with no success so far. Councils are decision makers. Councils can deliver free or low cost stopovers which we all know benefits communities - so thats a starting point for effecting cultural change so that we move to "Aire" or "Stellplatz" provision.
Incidentally we're just grateful for somewhere safe and low cost to stop in the UK and I don't mind booking.
But the free/cheap we are looking at is somewhere safe off the road for the night. Unused at night shop car parking (Tesco/Asda) etc no facilities. they will make from you actually using the shop in the morning. Council car parks are already there to use but they see they can more money from fines than a reasonable overnight motorhome parking unfortunately.
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Jim
Ringleader
The minimum requirement is safe access and egress to a space 10m by 8 to park a van on. Thats it, nothing else is required
Electricity, water, waste, bins etc are desirable but not essential to get an exemption from us.
I agree Try speaking to the Tesco, Asda,Aldi,Lidl etc at Store Manager level initially. Hope you get on better than I did!
Without an exemption certificate or planning permission though these organisations are relying on the goodwill of neighbours ie no objections, so these places even with the store's permission are "tolerated" stopovers..... at least that is my understanding
(Lidl, Fort William used to allow overnighting)
Gellyneck
LIFE MEMBER
Think that may have stopped now (a couple of years back) but could be wrong.
There is a car park next to Lidl's with dedicated coach \ lorry \ motorhome bays but clearly states "No overnighting".
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As far as supermarket and other shops' car parks I think their main concern is the facilities being abused by the "travelling community". AFAIK once you allow motorhomes to park over night they cannot discriminate as to who is in them.
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