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Boulders used by mystery protesters to stop motorhomes parking for free next to popular beach

24 Apr 2021 5 minute read
Rocks and boulders were placed to stop vehicles from parking along a stretch of land overlooking the beach at Llanddona

Gareth Williams, local democracy reporter

Boulders were placed near a popular beach to try and stop motorhomes from parking there.

Llanddona beach, on Anglesey’s east coast, is a popular spot with both locals and tourists alike.

But after rocks and boulders were placed by persons unknown on the side of the beach to stop campervans and motorhomes from parking there for free, there are concerns that the problem will  get worse when the weather gets warmer and visitor numbers rise.

Exact ownership of the land has not been clearly established, with Anglesey Council confirming it is not its responsibility.

Meetings involving councillors and local landowners have been held to try and solve the dispute.

One local businessman said there had been several issues with motorhomes parking on the site.

David Percival, the owner of a holiday cottage business overlooking the beach, said he was not aware of who placed the rocks,

But he added that over 30 campervans have been known to park on the beach front at any time, describing it as “a substantial drain on local resources.”

‘Threatened’

“Camp fires and barbecues left scars and litter was left by people who paid nothing at all for using a resource that should be for the benefit of people who live, or are taking paying holidays, in this area,” said Mr Percival.

“I am told that when the person entrusted with cleaning the public toilet tried to stop someone from emptying the contents of their chemical toilet into the public toilet, he was verbally abused and physically threatened.

“Its a pity that landowners appear to have been driven to take action to protect their own land by placing large stones on the sea front. If it has the effect of preventing the return of large numbers of campervans I’m all for it.

“The stones may reduce the appearance of the seafront but its by far the lesser of two evils when compared to the damage done to this local amenity by hordes of campers.

“There’s a free public car park 100 metres down the road, so I don’t know why people would prefer to park on grass and shingle rather than the paved area, which is free.

‘Permission’

“Overnight parking and the accommodation of caravans, campers or caravans, requires planning permission, I believe.

“If people wish to camp on this lovely island then there are plenty of caravan parks who will be glad of the business and accommodate them in properly managed and designed facilities with social distancing rules in place.”

Efforts have been made via the community council to contact local landowners, but a spokesman for the council confirmed that officers recently met landowners and were exploring all possibilities for an acceptable solution.

Community councillor, Myrddin Roberts, said: “The campervans are certainly a problem, no one’s disputing that, but blocking access is not the way to go about it.

“Ssome of these people have only just moved here yet now decide to block off access to a beautiful beach that’s been enjoyed by generations of local people, its wrong.

“Many people who are disabled or elderly enjoy being driven down to the beach, but they can’t do that now as the public car park doesn’t have the same access, it feels like something’s been lost.”

‘Challenging’

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has requested a copy of the minutes of a meeting involving the community council and local landowners in late March, but has not yet been made available.

But local county councillor, Carwyn Jones, said: “I can confirm that I chaired a meeting between adjacent landowners and Llanddona Community Council in the hope of trying to find a way forward.

“This is a very sensitive area where local people have enjoyed roaming freely for centuries, but everyone agrees there are challenges that need to be addressed and there are certainly strong views on both sides.

“We have offered to work with all stakeholders to try and find a way forward.

“But I pointed out that its unlikely that my family and many other locals would visit Llanddona beach over the Summer if the boulders are still in place as the beach gets very busy during peak holiday times and the reduced parking spaces available will be very challenging in terms of traffic.”

Fellow ward councillor, Alun Roberts, added, “Its paramount that all those interested in a sustainable future for the beach come and work together to resolve these issues to the satisfaction of all local people.”

An Anglesey Council spokesperson said, “We are aware of the ongoing concerns about parking, in particular large numbers of motorhomes and camper vans.

“The land on which this parking occurs is not within the ownership of the council, and therefore the council cannot take any enforcement action or implement any measures to prohibit or control or encourage use. The nearby car park has remained open and is available for use.

“We are currently engaging with local landowners and the community council to try identify appropriate solutions to address the issues and concerns that exist locally.”


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Jack
Jack
3 years ago

Nasty people who think they should be the only ones who can enjoy the place. For your information Mr Percival you do NOT need planning to park a camper overnight. Many enjoy camping don’t be a killjoy.

DAVID WOODLAND
DAVID WOODLAND
3 years ago

No planning permission is need to park a car or a camper van overnight. People who do park overnight or during the day should leave no trace they have been there when they leave. Day trippers are often responsible for rubbish too. It is also only fair that campers should only stay for a short time so others can enjoy the place. Just because someone lives nearby does not give them any more right to enjoy the view and the beach than someone who lives in the centre of a big city. Those with vested interests who want to get… Read more »

Mr Peter Cross
Mr Peter Cross
3 years ago

I think it’s a great idea by whoever has done it. Until all camper van owners clean up after ,themselves I will not change my opinion. To those who say ” it’s only an irresponsible few”. Well with over 500,000 camper vans registered in the Uk. Even one percent being irresponsible is a lot of litter and fire residue.

Craig Stearn
Craig Stearn
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr Peter Cross

Everyone should take care of the litter they bring along and pick up their own dog poo. Local people and visitors. More bins would help for everyone. We all pay taxes . We all can enjoy the veiw of natural places that is for free.

Paul Scrace
Paul Scrace
3 years ago

Greedy councillors who will eventually charge people to camp everywhere will probably happen most motorhome users are responsible people it’s the same with anything there’s always a minority that spoil it for others this the only place in the world where you can’t stay overnight in a beautiful spot , it’s the same in coastal areas in uk you don’t provide areas for motor homes to park you just ban them

shervin nikjoo
3 years ago

Thisone

shervin nikjoo
3 years ago

I am British and travel all over the world in my campervan. 90% of the time I camp free in many locations and many countries. I have never had as much abuse and AGGRESSION directed towards me in any country in relation to my camper van parking as in the UK especially England and Wales! Let us be tolerant. We are on this planet together and only once! Let us all calm down and discuss any issues peacefully!

Dave
Dave
3 years ago

Such a shame it has come to this. I’m a long term motorhome owner and would appreciate being able to pull over and admire a nice view while having a coffee. But these machines are big as 2 car park spaces, so we can’t find many car parks to fit on. I wonder if it’s partly due to first timers buying motorhomes last year instead of foreign holidays due to covid ? There are a lot more around but inexperienced users who have heard of “wild camping” without the experience of the responsibilities. In my case I’m a club member… Read more »

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
3 years ago

It’s important that tourism in any shape or form in the north west of this country is brought under control to minimise the impact on local people.This must include regulation of where to park, and adequate parking for which a charge will be expected by motorists. The action at Llanddona, whoever is responsible, can be seen as part of the current campaign to get to grips with the problem. It’s clear that a different mindset is required now, and that “Playground Wales” is no longer a sustainable concept.

huwdavies
huwdavies
3 years ago
Reply to  Wrexhamian

Tourists, day trippers, travellers, call them what you like they all have an obligation to treat the environment with respect. Sadly the tendency to behave abusively has increased and it is not surprising that residents in some areas are placing barriers to enjoyment. Litter, excrement and remains of camp fires left smouldering are just the tip of a filthy fatberg.

Ali
Ali
3 years ago

Sadly the claims in this report are false. The person was not dumping the contents of a chemical toilet but the separate urine which was explained at the time. This man actually promotes good behaviours on wild camping in regards to taking litter home and even collecting litter from sites left behind by others. All this is is the usual local business owners that are upset as people are not booking into hotels or camp sites and are using their initiative to camp more freely. They are trying to taint wild campers with a bad name to make councils prevent… Read more »

mark
mark
3 years ago

unknown person has put the stones there?? theres a video of the man putting the rocks there with a digger and we have the name of the person.he lives on the beach.

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