East Lothian Council is considering new approaches to address the growing demand for campervan parking along the county’s popular coastline.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the region‘s coastal beauty spots have seen a notable increase in visitor numbers, raising questions about the adequacy of existing facilities.
Currently, the council operates 13 car parks along the coastline, where vehicles can park for £3 per day or £50 for a seasonal permit. However, the rising popularity of campervan tourism has prompted discussions about expanding options to better accommodate visitors.
Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of the local authority and representative for the Dunbar and East Linton ward, recently highlighted the potential for drawing inspiration from France, where privately owned “aires” provide basic facilities for campervans.
He described these as plots of land, often surplus to farms or businesses, offering toilets and waste disposal facilities for overnight stays.
“In France, they have aires and it is just some landowners who have given up a bit of land surplus to their farm or business,” Hampshire told the The East Lothian Courier.
“They provide basic toilet facilities and disposal facilities on the site, and people go and can park their van and pay something for staying there for the night… There is a big increase in the demand for areas for these campervans to go.”
Hampshire acknowledged that discussions with local landowners about the concept might still be in the early stages. However, he emphasized the economic benefits tourists bring to the region, particularly those drawn to the coast.
“We do need more sites available for campervans, and if there are landowners that have got land close to the coast,” he said. “There are some who go to more rural areas but it is more popular to be along the coastline.”
The council leader expressed optimism about collaborating with interested landowners to evaluate the feasibility of such projects through the planning process. The initiative could help alleviate the pressures of increased tourism while contributing to local economic growth.
