Campervans and motorhomes could face new parking bans overnight across a popular tourist region with offenders facing hefty penalties.
The Highland Council is set to vote on the overnight ban on Monday, February 17, which could impact all car parks throughout the region.
The parking ban follows a spell of complaints from residents about “anti-social behaviour” and “inappropriate waste disposal” clogging up the area.
The move could see overnight travellers face new fines for breaching parking rules with current penalty charges set at £100, although this can be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
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Councillors will make a decision about the overnight ban next week
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Currently, two Highland Council car parks in Sutherland allow overnight stays for campervans at a cost of £10 per night. These facilities are located in Durness and Golspie, both situated along the popular NC500 route around the north coast of Scotland.
Under existing rules, visitors are permitted to stay for one night only and must wait 72 hours before returning.
Daytime parking at these locations remains unaffected by the proposed changes, with restrictions focusing solely on people staying overnight.
The car parks have been a point of contention, with local campsite and caravan park owners expressing concerns about the impact on their businesses.
The proposed ban has been brought forward by Councillors Richard Gale and Jim McGilivray in response to ongoing issues at the parking sites.
The restrictions would see overnight visitors directed to alternative “parking options” such as designated caravan or camping sites. If approved, the council’s parking enforcement team would be responsible for policing the new measures.
The ban is expected to cost the council up to £41,000 to enforce through regular car park patrols with councillors warning the costs may be too much for the authority.
However, some council officials estimated the cost could be as low as £4,000 if existing staff work overtime to conduct the checks, although this has remained an unpopular option.
An additional £1,000 would be required for new signage and markings to inform visitors that overnight stays are no longer permitted. The financial implications have prompted careful consideration from council officers reviewing the proposed restrictions.
There are concerns that campervans may choose to park elsewhere or resort to wild camping, affecting other rural areas, including an “adverse impact” on the region’s biodiversity.
The Sutherland committee will meet on Monday to determine the future of overnight campervan stays in these Highland car parks with the ban rolled out later this year.
In July last year the council launched its Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme which costs £40 and allows drivers to “directly contribute for the impact your journey has upon the environment and local communities of the Highlands”.
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Motorhome and campervans would face £100 penalty for breaching parking restrictions
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While memberships are not mandatory, it does offer drivers a range of benefits including overnight parking in specific car parks throughout the region.
Allan Gunn, Assistant Chief Executive from the council said: “The launch of the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme is understood to be the first of its kind by any UK local authority.
“There is an identified need for facilities to accommodate campervans, motorhomes, roof tents and people who are using vehicles for short stay overs. This scheme offers an opportunity for the Council to continue to support local priorities relating to tourism and visitor management.”