Changes to the rules for pay-and-display for campervans and motorhomes are set to be discussed by the council.

Members of the public will be able to watch a debate on the topic at the next East Devon District Council (EDDC) scrutiny committee meeting on April 8.

While many of these vehicle owners use official licensed campsites, EDDC has seen an increase in the numbers of people actively seeking the freedom of parking overnight in unauthorised locations such as on streets and in public car parks, breaking rules and regulations.

This in turn has created a number of issues for local residents, including problems with waste water discharge, domestic refuse disposal, visual amenity, loss of parking space, noise and obstruction of pavements or highway with items such as tables, chairs, barbecues, water sports equipment and fire wood – to name a few.

The chair of the committee Cllr Colin Brown, said: “There was a wide ranging and interesting debate involving members of the TAFF and whilst the council does not wish to compete with existing campsite operators, we did feel that the councils car parks could potentially be part of a solution to some of the problems arising from visitors who are already choosing not to use official campsites.”

Sidmouth Herald: East Devon District Councillor Colin BrownEast Devon District Councillor Colin Brown (Image: Archant)

Having debated the matter, members of EDDC’s Car Parking Task and Finish Forum (TAFF) will be recommending the following to the council’s scrutiny committee meeting.

  • Stopovers – overnight stays in car parks be allowed (subject to strict terms and conditions) in any of the district council’s pay and display car parks that are deemed suitable.
  • Fire safety – overnight stays would only be allowed in circumstances that were compliant with relevant fire safety legislation.
  • Tariffs – motorhome and campervan users would not be eligible for purchasing any of the standard car park permits, and could only use the pay and display car parks on a ‘pay as you use’ basis.
  • Arrangements for local residents – ‘exemption’ permits would be considered on a case by case basis for residents who could demonstrate that they relied on a small campervan as their regular daily transport and that they did not have suitable alternative off-street parking facilities available elsewhere.
  • Dedicated sites – officers should explore the possibility of creating dedicated motorhome/campervan pitches to allow longer stays.
  • Local Plan – a policy for campervans and motorhomes should be incorporated into the new local plan.