A recently-backed decision by senior Pembrokeshire councillors to allow a trial scheme for overnight motorhome and campervan parking at some of the county’s car parks is to come under further scrutiny.
Members of the council’s Cabinet, at their February meeting, backed a proposal for a trial run ‘Pembs Stop’ scheme at four car parks: North Beach, Tenby; Goodwick Moor, Goodwick; Townsmoor, Narberth; and Western Way, Pembroke Dock.
The ‘Pembs Stop’ trial areas, available for up to two nights, will operate year-round at £10 a night for a trial 18-month period, expected to start in July.
It was stressed the scheme was not intended to create ‘campsites,’ with a list of criteria including no LPG bottles or furniture to be stored outside, and no camping waste or recycling points being provided.
But local businesses say the proposals will harm Pembrokeshire.
Phil Davies, who owns Hungerford Farm Touring Caravan and Motorhome Park near Loveston, said one and two-night stays from motorhomes and campervans make up between 25 and 30 per cent of his annual turnover.
“Should the 18-month trial go ahead the drop in business will cause job losses within the industry as many businesses could not survive even a temporary drop in trade.”
He also criticised the Cabinet report for using evidence from Gwynedd Council which has faced similar issues, saying the research data, from 2021, was during a period when visitor numbers were “artificially high” as the country was still under Covid travel restrictions.
The Pembs Stop initiative would also place an additional burden on existing services, with many using public toilets to dispose of waste in order to travel empty to save fuel, Mr Davies said.