Motorhome scheme set to stay

A 12-month pilot scheme allowing self-contained motorhomes to stay at nominated South Hams’ car parks has been permanently adopted by the District Council’s Executive Committee.

The pilot scheme, which began in June 2021, trialled five sites for self-contained motorhomes in the following car parks:

• Longmarsh Car Park, Totnes
• Leonards Road Car Park, Ivybridge
• Poundwell Meadow Car Park, Modbury
• Park & Ride Car Park, Dartmouth
• Cattlemarket Car Park, Kingsbridge

Having reviewed the pilot, it has been agreed to permanently allow overnight sleeping for a two-night consecutive stop with no return within 48 hours within these car parks. The scheme is restricted to motorhomes with on-board facilities including a toilet.

The stays will continue to be charged at an overnight fee of £10 from 6pm until 9am.

The adoption of the pilot will continue to support increased tourism and boost the local economies of the featured towns. Furthermore the policy assists with the effective management of motorhomes including, access issues from inconsiderate parking in areas unsuitable for larger vehicles.

During the pilot Totnes was revealed as the most popular destination for motorhomes within this scheme. Followed by Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and then followed by Modbury and Ivybridge.

There have been some concerns with reports received of antisocial behaviour at one of the sites, although it is not certain whether this relates to visiting motorhomes or other users of the car park. To ensure the use of our car parks for our visitors and residents using the facilities, enforcement visits will continue regularly at the locations. This will involve checks late at night and at very early morning.

Cllr Keith Baldry, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “I’m really pleased that the scheme has been adopted in five towns to continue permanently. It has been a positive experience for our visitors and for our economy, which is what we had hoped for when we embarked on this trial.

“We have listened to our communities throughout the past 12 months, where there were some isolated anti-social issues and we responded to them rapidly. We did this by increasing visits by our officers, improving site signage and introducing number plate parking to help regulate the two-day parking rules. This quick action has helped to address the concerns of our apprehensive residents.”

Read more from the report to the Executive Committee here: www.southhams.gov.uk/Executive