Permanent Ban on Overnight Motorhome Parking Introduced
A permanent ban on campervans and motorhomes parking overnight at tourist hotspots along the North Yorkshire coast has been implemented following approval by local councillors. The restrictions were introduced in response to complaints concerning limited parking availability, safety concerns, and increased littering. However, the ban has created a divide between van owners and local residents.
On a drizzly March afternoon, with a brisk wind blowing in from the North Sea, a small number of vans were parked along Scarborough's Royal Albert Drive.
Richard Lancaster, 58, sitting outside his motorhome with his dog and a cup of tea, expressed his view that van owners are unfairly blamed for the actions of others.
"Tourists are coming in their cars, they're racking barbecues up, they're tenting in the castle grounds, they're leaving litter all over.
"It's a stunning area [but] people are just abusing it and we're getting blamed for it on an everyday basis."
Details of the Ban and Its Impact
North Yorkshire Council initially introduced the overnight parking ban for motorhomes and campervans in November 2024 after receiving multiple complaints. The ban applies to North Bay in Scarborough and the A174 south of Sandsend village, restricting parking between 23:00 and 07:00. A similar trial in Cayton Bay was discontinued after vandalism of signage.
While the ban has addressed issues in the designated areas, some have raised concerns that it has merely displaced the problem to other locations.
Richard, who is based in Scarborough but travels across the UK for work in his van, described owning a motorhome in the UK as "very very tough" compared to other countries due to limited facilities.
"I was happy to drive out of town to sleep but was aware others were less considerate, including reports of people hanging laundry on residential streets and parking across driveways.
"It's unacceptable but what other choice have they got? If there were areas to pay, we don't mind. What we do mind is paying £40 or £50 a night for a site," he added.
Local Residents Express Frustration
Scarborough resident Julie-Anne Smith, 64, who lives in the Esplanade area on South Cliff, described difficulties she has faced since the ban was introduced.
She pays £40 annually for a parking permit but struggles to find parking near her home during the summer months.
"Whilst tourism is to be encouraged, it isn't really that favourable when it's right on your doorstep, blocking the views that we've paid for to live in our homes and also taking our parking spaces, which we have to pay for the privilege of."
Julie-Anne noted that the issue began after the pandemic, with new motorhome registrations peaking at over 16,000 in 2024 and 2025, and has grown significantly since the ban.
As a campervan owner herself, she recently returned from a trip to the Yorkshire Dales where she paid £15 per night to park at a designated site.
"If you invest in a motorhome or a camper, you should be prepared to do that and not just guerrilla park anywhere and everywhere," she added.
Concerns Over Parking and Litter
One of the key reasons for the ban was the impact on parking availability, as motorhomes and campervans often occupy more than one parking bay, affecting tourism and local residents.
Fraser Armitage, who grew up in Scarborough and spends half the year living there, commented on the situation during summer months.
"During the summer you couldn't even get a parking space," he said, also highlighting issues with litter.
"The litter was unbelievable.
"I'm not saying all motorhome people are bad, but the chairs, discarded barbecues, cans of beer - it just looks scruffy.
"I'm not against motorhomes and they can park during the day but overnight, music blaring, sitting out, it just spoils the look and feel of the place."
Diverging Views Among Residents and Visitors
Conversely, Ted Buchan, 68, expressed confusion over the controversy.
"I can't see what difference it makes whether they park here overnight or not," he said, noting the restrictions apply during hours when he is not present.
"They're not interfering with us," his wife Viv, 72, added.
Holidaymaker Paul Thompson, 60, who owns a campervan, advocated for a balanced approach between peak season and off-season parking.
"It's ideal to have a location near the sea but that's prime area so you can't expect it to be on your doorstep for free.
"There needs to be somewhere you can park a motorhome that's not extortionate, or else people will find anywhere and they'll park on the streets, which the locals don't want."
Campaign for More Low-Cost Motorhome Facilities
In 2019, a UK-wide campaign was launched to increase the availability of low-cost campervan parking areas known as aires.
Steve Hadaway from The Campaign for Real Aires (CAMpRA) emphasized the growing importance of such facilities following the rise in staycations post-Covid and changes to overseas travel regulations after Brexit.
He cited examples of successful aires introduced by other UK councils, including a trial in South Hams, Devon, where five sites became permanent.
In Fleetwood, Lancashire, dedicated motorhome parking bays charging £5 per night generated £54,000 in 2025 for the local council, with an estimated £260,000 spent in local businesses, according to CAMpRA.
"Putting in bans and height barriers would have cost the council revenue, cost them enforcement, and lost all the businesses the money so it's a no-brainer as far as we understand," Steve said.
Mixed Opinions Among Councillors
Despite the council's approval of the ban, some councillors expressed reservations.
Rich Maw, an independent member of North Yorkshire Council and Scarborough Town Council, described the ban as "done too hastily" and "a sledgehammer to crack a nut."
He argued that alternatives had not been fully explored and warned that further bans might be necessary to address displaced vans parking in residential areas.
"Ultimately, I think the readings are that Scarborough on the whole will have a town-wide campervan ban. I think that's what is the writing on the wall here," he said.
"For me, that is sending out entirely the wrong message."
He added that the "reputational damage" to the town could be greater than the impact of creating new parking bays on Royal Albert Drive.
Council's Position and Future Plans
Malcolm Taylor, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for highways and transport, stated that the policy aims to balance the needs of all parties.
"We've certainly seen a significant increase in the last couple of years when we've had to take some steps to try and manage it."
He encouraged tourists to continue visiting Scarborough while using local campsites.
"The council have sites, there's lots of enterprises and people who invest in sites, provide facilities," he added.
"It is important they employ people in the local economy as well."
The council intends to address issues related to displaced vehicles and emphasized that Scarborough remains open for business and welcomes visitors.
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