The Denbighshire County Council is considering a proposal to allow motorhomes to park overnight in select car parks, responding to a post-pandemic surge in motorhome ownership. The highways department has submitted an application to convert 10 spaces at Lower Barkby car park in Prestatyn into designated motorhome parking spots, with a maximum stay of two nights per visit. The modifications would involve altering vehicle and pedestrian access, connecting to the sewer system, and installing waste and recycling facilities, with foul drainage linked to the mains sewer adjacent to an existing toilet building. The site, covering approximately half an acre (0.2 hectares), is part of the “Denbighshire motorhome ‘Aires’ project,” which has been under development for 18 months to address issues of unauthorized overnight parking by motorhomes in the county.
The planning report accompanying the application notes a significant increase in motorhome ownership across the UK since the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies several “hotspot locations” within Denbighshire. The Aires project is positioned as a pilot initiative aimed at providing basic, short-term overnight parking solutions for motorhomes in car parks situated near towns and existing amenities, rather than competing with established holiday parks. Currently, motorhomes are permitted to use car parks without height restrictions but are not allowed to remain overnight. The proposal includes six potential car park sites, including Quay Street Car Park and Marine Drive (East Parade) in Rhyl, and is slated for discussion by the council’s planning committee.