North Yorkshire Council is set to make a trial ban on overnight motorhome parking permanent at coastal hotspots following concerns over safety and anti-social behaviour.
A trial ban on motorhomes and campervans parking overnight at tourist hotspots on the coast is set to be made permanent.
North Yorkshire Council introduced the restrictions in November 2024 following an unprecedented level of complaints about the numbers of motor caravans parked up, along with concerns over safety.
Since then, the ban has applied between 11pm and 7am on North Bay in Scarborough and the A174 to the south of Sandsend village. The trial in Cayton Bay was abandoned after signs were repeatedly vandalised.
Earlier this month, members of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee spoke of their support for plans to make the ban permanent, as it has resulted in the displacement of motorhomes from affected areas.
In addition, elected members would like to see the council explore the possibility of providing dedicated facilities for motorhomes.
More than 3,000 responses have been received during the 18-month trial, with two-thirds being motorhome owners.
While the majority object to the restrictions, most did not relate to the reasons it was introduced.
Of those who state that they live in the area, 60 per cent support or strongly support the proposals.
The results identified residential locations in Scarborough where motorhomes were displaced, seemingly from the trial.
Therefore, the council will consider introducing similar measures at some locations based on survey data and discussions with local members.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Malcolm Taylor, said:
“The tourist economy in Scarborough and Whitby is vital to prosperity in the area, but we must try and strike the right balance between all road users.
“The trial ban on overnight parking was introduced following an increase in people going on holiday in motor caravans, spending long periods of time in the same place and often taking up several parking spaces.
“Along with the police, we receive complaints about anti-social behaviour including reports of campfires and barbeques, leaving litter and defecating on the grass.
“Although most responses opposed the restrictions, we believe the aims of the trial have been reached and there is enough alternative provision.
“It remains that overnight parking brings with it a number of issues that adversely affect the areas, and we have heard from caravan and camping site owners who state that their businesses are impacted if there isn’t an overnight ban.”
The plans will be discussed at a meeting on Friday next week (March 27), between Cllr Taylor and the council’s corporate director of environment, Karl Battersby. The report can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF here (item 1) – Overnight motor caravan parking
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