Agenda item

The report was accepted and the following was approved:

     I.        To authorise the Head of Environment Department, in consultation with the Head of Education and Community to hold a pilot project to use up to six of the Council's parking sites (or part of the sites) within the Gwynedd Planning Authority Area, to provide facilities for motor homes to stay overnight, including the designation of the locations, but subject to securing capital funding and necessary permissions.

    II.        That a further report on the outcomes of the pilot are submitted to the Cabinet within three years.

  III.        Give consideration to and take enforcement measures to accompany the above.

  IV.        Present the research to the Welsh Government and ask them to review the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960.

The item was presented by Cllr. Gareth Griffith.

RESOLVED

The report was accepted and the following was approved:

        I.            To authorise the Head of Environment Department, in consultation with the Head of Education and Community to hold a pilot project to use up to six of the Council's parking sites (or part of the sites) within the Gwynedd Planning Authority Area, to provide facilities for motor homes to stay overnight, including the designation of the locations, but subject to securing capital funding and necessary permissions.

     II.            That a further report on the outcomes of the pilot are submitted to the Cabinet within three years.

  III.            Give consideration to and take enforcement measures to accompany the above.

  IV.            Present the research to the Welsh Government and ask them to review the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting that it was research into motor homes in Gwynedd. The decision was read.

The Assistant Head - Environment Department explained that this research had been produced jointly between the Environment Department and the Economy and Community Department. It was noted that the purpose of the report was to explain what the motor homes situation was in Gwynedd and whether there was a need for better control of them and any lessons to be learned from other locations in Britain and Europe. Attention was drawn to the fact that the Planning and Licensing legislation dated back to the 1960s and it was asked if it was fit for purpose by now.

It was noted that three questionnaires had been used - one for owners of Caravan and Camping sites in Gwynedd, one for owners of motor homes and one for the residents of Gwynedd. It was highlighted that an overview of the findings was provided noting that the sector is one that is developing significantly and that the needs of motor home users were different to those of traditional caravan and camping users. It was noted that users favoured locations within a walking distance of places of interest and town centres and tended to travel throughout the year.

It was noted that there were examples in Scotland and England where councils had trialled car parks as places to stay overnight with the necessary facilities and it was explained that this trend is also seen in Europe. It was noted that owners had noted in the questionnaire that they would use them and the public had also expressed support for the piloting.

It was noted that the report highlighted the need for better control of the sector but that support was needed to trial the overnight facilities but that they needed to be accompanied with more enforcement. It was explained that the report requested permission to pilot such facilities in up to 6 locations within the Gwynedd Planning Authority. It was noted that investment would be needed to create the purpose-built facilities.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾    It was noted that motor homes had become a major problem across the county and thanks were given for the significant work that had gone into creating this report. Support was expressed for the scheme, and it was noted that there was a need to move swiftly.

¾    It was noted that the report highlighted excellent collaboration between the two departments, and it was added that there was a need to be central to lead growth in the economy in order sustain jobs.

¾    The report was welcomed specifically in terms of control and reference was made to specific locations to try to deal with the situation. A question was asked as to if it would be possible to push the programme forward and possibly have the sites earlier rather than later.

¾    The report was supported and it was highlighted that the needs of the group were different to those of the users of traditional camping sites, and that they supported local businesses. Concern was highlighted about the six locations only as they could cause a rush in the six locations and in doing so not reflect what the scheme could do more widely. It was explained that these locations were owned by the local communities in other countries and that there may be a need for a discussion with the whole community so that a proportion of the funding would benefit these communities.

¾    It was noted that, in an ideal world, there would be a network of locations across the county but that six was a practical number to pilot and on Council-controlled land. It was expressed that the report was a basis for evidence which would, possibly, give an opportunity for other sectors to open this type of location.

¾    It was stressed that this report noted that the Council was eager to control this situation and not develop it further. The need for open dialogue with the Park was noted, in order to ensure that they also control and not develop the sector. It was noted that it had not been possible to include the National Park as part of the pilot because of its specific planning rules.

¾    It was noted that the department would examine ways of pushing the plan forward.