Thousands use new designated camper van spaces

Schemes to allow campervans and motorhomes to park overnight in car parks in holiday spots have been a success, two local authorities have said.

There have been around 1,000 overnight stays since April across the 11 car parks in Cornwall where camping is now permitted, while East Devon has recorded more than 2,600 stays in the 10 months to 1 September.

East Devon councillor Sam Hawkins said providing official overnight spaces in two car parks in Exmouth had been a "boon for the town" and helped reduce antisocial behaviour, including unauthorised overnight parking.

Camper Chris Cadby welcomed the new stopover schemes, and said: "There are very few places where you can just rock up and park."

"People who've holidayed abroad are used to seeing this sort of thing" said Dan Rogerson, Cornwall Council's cabinet member for transport.

A total of 11 car parks in Cornwall, including the Crescent in Bude, Gyllyngvase in Falmouth and Trenwith in St Ives have allowed overnight parking since 1 April.

Campers can stay for a maximum of two consecutive nights and motorhomes must be self-contained with their own toilet.

"It brings in income for car parks and people can spend money in the town centres," Rogerson said.

"It also means that visitors are staying in an appropriate location rather than stopping in areas we'd rather not see overnight parking."

Some tourist destinations have introduced bans or restrictions on overnight stays in response to concerns, while others have opted for designated areas for stopovers, arguing they help manage visitor numbers and support local businesses.

East Devon District Councillor Sam Hawkins said Exmouth is seen as a "springboard into the South West" for visitors with campervans and motorhomes.

He said: "We found we were getting too many people staying over in some places, which was causing problems for some locals residents, with occasional anti-social behaviour.

"Rather than ban it, we identified areas in Exmouth where it could work. It's not a campsite, it's a stopover arrangement.

"Local retailers say they are seeing benefits, with visitors going to local pubs and restaurants."

Joanne Cundle was one person taking advantage of of one of the designated areas in the town, visiting with her husband Julian and staying in their camper van.

She said: "I like to know we are parked where we are allowed to.

"It's important that you camp respectfully and here, we can just chill."

Chris Cadby from Lyme Regis said the car park he was using was a "great spot, right on the beach".

"We know that we can park here safely and securely overnight and not be woken up and moved on."

Provision of designated overnight parking for campervans and motorhomes varies by local authority, but is allowed in certain car parks in districts such as Torbay, North Devon and Torridge.

It has been banned by Devon County Council on certain stretches of highway including Queens Drive in Exmouth and on both North Embankment and South Embankment in Dartmouth, after complaints from residents.

Donald Macdonald from The Campaign for Real Aires (CAMpRA), said more facilities - designed for self-contained motorhomes to stay for one or two nights as they travel around the country - were needed across England, including in the South West.

He said the perception for some of his members had been "motorhomes were not welcome" in Cornwall, adding that "being able to park overnight for a couple of days then move on" meant "Cornwall was now an option".

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