Potential campervan site identified on Northumberland coast at Amble in bid to address overnight parking issues

Officers at Northumberland County Council are examining the suitability of a hard-standing area on the Braid in Amble.

The suggestion was put forward by local councillor Jeff Watson, and £5,000 capital funding has been allocated to progress the idea.

He said: “The council has been aware of a shortage of overnight camping sites for a while, particularly an issue last summer.

"I hope we can facilitate this site as I think it is in an ideal position causing no inconvenience to locals and meeting increasing tourism needs.

"This is still in the investigation stage and when proper plans are formulated then full discussions will be held with interested parties.”

He had raised the issue of overnight parking of campervans during early discussions about town centre parking in Amble.

“After surveying the area, the planners said that in order to accommodate these large vehicles too many car parking spaces would have to be sacrificed in the Turner Street development,” he explained.

“I agreed with this and suggested that we look at other areas. The best site seemed to be the on the existing hard standing on the Braid area on the way to Shorebase Trust.”

It is thought the site could accommodate around 10 vehicles.

Warkworth Parish Council has no objections and Amble Town Council has also been supportive.

Cllr Watson says he does not know at this stage if the county council would charge but thinks it is likely.

Communities along the Northumberland coast raised concerns last summer about the volume of visiting campervans and related issues such as inconsiderate parking and rubbish.

Cllr Watson, speaking to The Ambler, added: “All last summer we saw accommodation vehicles parking in unsuitable places largely because there were no designated spaces available in this area.

“I was aware that quite often vehicles parked overnight near the Shorebase building, and although most vehicle owners were responsible people, there was some concern about refuse being left.

“Covid has changed how we take holidays and more people are taking UK holidays using camper vans. In my view, it will take a long time before we see a recurrence of holidays abroad.”

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