Moray Council proposes a plan for campervans to park overnight in designated spots for a fee of £7, aiming to manage demand and limit damage.
Currently, Moray doesn’t allow this and no council land permits overnight stays. The plan suggests a £7 fee per night, with vans only allowed to stay one night and they must use designated spots.
A report mentioned ten possible locations, spread across Moray. These sites include Cullen, Buckie, Portgordon, Lossiemouth, Burghead, Forres, Ballindalloch, Aberlour, and Craigellachie.
Council officers want a good spread of sites. The consultation will discuss site suitability, and Nicola Moss spoke about the demand. People ask where vans can park; this plan is a step-by-step solution.
Councillor John Stuart supports the idea, but wants a consultation first. The plan reduces stress and limits damage, and vans will no longer need laybys. A formal policy is needed, he stated.
Councillor Draeyk van der Horn has some worries. He questions Califer Hill Viewpoint as a site because it has a narrow road. He asked about passing places and there are memorial benches, too, and he fears rowdy campers.
Policing the plan also concerns him, and it will initially depend on goodwill. He worries about consultation details and asked for economic benefit details. He wants to know how it will be policed.
He called the paper premature and proposed rejecting it. Another councilor backed his proposal; however, most councilors voted against it. The vote was seven to six, so the plan moves forward.
