City Council Backs Proposal to Prohibit Overnight Camper Van Parking on Promenade

City councillors have endorsed proposals to prohibit camper vans from parking overnight on a coastal promenade. A motion put forward by Lancaster City Council’s Labour councillors, Margaret Pattison and David Whitaker, suggested a ban on camper vans and motorhomes on both the promenade and car parks owned by the city council. Councillor Pattison stated: “Morecambe councillors receive hundreds of complaints about overnight parking on the promenade.” However, worries persist that implementing such a ban might merely “shift the problem” to nearby residential areas. The councillors supported the motion, though with specific clarifications indicating they were “seeking a ban” on vehicle occupation, with the focus solely on Morecambe. Ms Pattison clarified: “To be clear, we do not want to ban camper vans from visiting Morecambe. Tourism is very important. “This motion is only calling for a ban on camper vans, motorhomes and touring caravans staying overnight on the promenade, from 8pm to 8am. ” She further noted that no shops or supermarkets on the promenade operated late at night, suggesting that camper van owners were not utilizing the area for access to local amenities. The councillor also highlighted health and safety concerns, citing instances of individuals using gas cookers and disposing of chemical toilet waste into standard drains located near roads and pavements. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, numerous councillors expressed understanding for residents’ grievances but indicated that the matters required further consideration and the motion itself needed revision. They suggested the motion should “seek to ban” rather than impose an immediate prohibition, explaining that an outright ban falls under county council authority and could involve a lengthy process. Conservative councillor Andrew Gardener, who also serves as a county councillor, commented: “This motion needs tidying-up.” He additionally mentioned HGV drivers who use the promenade for overnight parking, noting that these drivers have limited facilities, including toilets, compelling them to resort to “unpleasant measures”. Green councillor Sam Richies argued that the motion ought to explicitly state the necessity of prohibiting overnight sleeping in vehicles, as some camper van owners legitimately lodge in local hotels, B&Bs, or holiday apartments. Clare Cozler of Labour remarked: “I used to live near the promenade. I’ve seen people cooking on gas stoves and emptying chemical toilets there. It’s not nice. Lib-Dem Councillor Paul Hart further stated: “Lancaster City Council simply needs to ask the county councillor to add this to its traffic regulation orders list. Then it will happen. But we need to get this passed immediately.” Conversely, Green Councillor Gina Dowling, who is also a county councillor, observed: “It requires a traffic regulation order by the county, which is not cheap. The county council said other traffic changes might be needed because of the Eden Project.”