Camping-Car Park may come to the UK
Comments
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Having written to the NT twice now over the years about using their car parks to stay overnight, the replies I have had indicate they are more concerned about security from within the gates than outside. As I have pointed out up thread the NT is already providing parking for motorhomes at some of their sites so no further costs would be involved by permitting overnight parking in fact if they charged members a fee it would be another source of income. There is still hope that overnight parking will be allowed at sites where no property is at risk.
peedee
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In spite of their name, most C-CP places are not just car parks. We only stopped at one that was. The others were all pleasant sites, some even have toilets/showers (high season only) and all are open all year.
We like them, many are beside rivers or lakes, great for dogs when it's hot. More accurately in English they could be named Motor-Caravan Parks.0 -
Several I can think of with suitable car parks, also have toilets in them. Although wether they would be suitable for increased use is unknown.
I can understand the concern re security at some sites. The need for a seperate entrance and fencing prohibiting access to the property out of hours, would probably make it a non starter in these locations.
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I think the ones with toilet blocks were fading municiple sites. CCP has given then a new lease of life by allowing them to open all year for motorhomes. I have not stayed on one of these sites but I understand that in the summer months when the toilet blocks are open caravans can also use them and haven't such places been labeled Camping Mon Village?
I have stayed on those which are outside but part of large campsites. The campsites shut in winter but their aire remains open. Now there is food for thought for the Club.
peedee
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I have stayed on those which are outside but part of large campsites. The campsites shut in winter but their aire remains open. Now there is food for thought for the Club.
There is a big difference in that there are few (if any) CMC sites where there is such an area available outside of the existing site limits. Normally the space is fully utilised already.
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The way the CampingCar Park company has developed its business in France is by leasing existing campsites and Aires from the current owners - mostly local municipalities who want to offload them - and operating them in a new way with fewer staff. They weren't starting from scratch on brand new locations in the way some of you are hoping for here in the UK - but perhaps they are looking for campsite owners who would like to do business with them.
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sorry but I'm not talking about CCP, I was talking about NT&EH using their funds to create overnight stays.
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As I said up thread:- If it could be done in cooperation with the likes of something like Camping-Car Park it would mean even less involvement by the landowners who would just collect a nice fee every year.
There are lots of options if the NT and their like wanted to embrace this idea, after all doesn't the new head of the NT want to encourage a more diverse visitor? As has been mentioned a couple of NT properties already have this facility by having a CL, many already have space as they provide ample day parking. Working in conjunction with a partner might not involve the NT in actually spending anything. Attracting more visitors which ever way you do it puts increased strain on facilities but I don't somehow think that having a few extra people staying overnight, who would have to use their on facilities out of hours, would really impact on the running costs. Even if they did those costs would be more than offset by the overnight fees being paid.
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An example stop put forward by others on another forum, One comment from a spanish member and one from somebody who lived in Taunton.
1. There is a lovely park & ride on the outskirts of Taunton. Even during the week it is mostly empty. Far more people use it to access the dog walking than for getting to town. Sundays they shut the place as no one uses it because the town car parks are free. That's if you can actually get in a multi storey or even aren't too high to use ground floor car parks. Otherwise there aren't many places to park for larger vehicles. Always seemed a bit stupid to me.
2. Excellent example. Just off junction 25 M5, massively under used by commuters and shoppers. Pub across the road. Ideal stopover if travelling south to Devon / Cornwall or travelling north to the rest of the country. A368 to A303. Parking in Taunton poor and expensive, with terrible through traffic problems (lived there for 5 years).
Can't comment but sounds good.
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fair enough and a proper solution
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Taunton Gateway given its location would be great. It’s largely been a white elephant since it was built - last I heard “closed until further notice”. Such a waste. Travellers are part of the problem.
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I think NT/EH security aspect is a red herring. The car parks are generally a little distant from the house/ castle and apart from a nominal gate there is scarcely any effective security for the grounds. A coded lock, with the number changed perhaps weekly, provided to those who pay an overnight fee resolves this.
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Rather too simplistic David. Most car parks would be a security compromise for NT properties if occupied overnight. Many will not have sewage available, I doubt that the extra income is that enticing to consider additional security measures.
Their CLs and caravan sites are a totally different prospect as outside the security areas.
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Not so, CL at NT Stourhead is an extension of the main visitor car park. CL at Kingston Lacy is also within the estate allowing access to the gardens.
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Not sure this is still a CL seem to think it is now run by Nat Trust but I could be wrong. It is approached through the main and overflow car parks - gravel type hard-standings.
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Having looked at the link to C-CP and read some of the posts they appear to be "managing" sites where fresh/grey water and chemi-dump facilities were already in place which made me think they may only approach pitch providers here that also already have these. - if they decide UK is economically viable.
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Yes it has hardstandings, see the Stourhead Estate in the CL section. Not cheap! But a good spot, it's still close to the car park but not at the back of the area where lorries arrive with service deliveries, where it used to be.
The NT also has some small campsites.
I can't imagine the NT would let anything go out of house and that's the problem in the UK most small sites are run successfully in private ownership.
Aires run in France etc which were run by communes/villages may not have the man power to keep them going and a take over might be welcome.
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