Campsite Owners Opinion

[Penny13]

Ok so we are in a new Wardens Job and have just found the lay-by right next to the site, so it is on WC and when we chatted to boss about it he said nobody will know !!! Oops but they do
Carrying on talking about WC and aires he also said that’s not good for campsite business !!!
Do I try to explain how well it works in Europe ?

 

[st3v3]

Tell him it's a business opportunity to get money from the layby campers (that would never be interested in his site anyway)

Put up a sign offering toilet dump/water service for a fiver.

 

[REC]

Tell him it's a business opportunity to get money from the layby campers (that would never be interested in his site anyway)

Put up a sign offering toilet dump/water service for a fiver.

Great idea! Bit of a closed mind there, Penny? Hope the job works out well despite the owner.

 

[RichardHelen262]

You could explain to them that motorhomes wild camping will not drive them onto campsites , as for me the whole reason of being self sufficient is so that I don’t have to make plans and rely on campsites.
The only thing stopping wild camping does is drive people and their money away from the uk, and into Europe where motorhomes are catered for and made more welcome

 

[RichardHelen262]

Water, Dump, and shower for two persons one only for £7
Think £5 is long gone

I would quite happily pay £10 to empty waste tanks and refill water tank,

 

[Fisherman]

Quite frankly if you can legally park there, and there are no problems it’s none of his business. But if he is sensible as others have said it’s a business opportunity. I would happily pay a reasonable charge to empty the cassette, and replenish our water. We were at the C&MC site at New England bay in Galloway last summer. There were several vans parked outside the entrance. I got chatting to a couple who spend two nights in the site when they go there for the week. The place was spotless, and there was no issues there. My worry here is he may try to put pressure on the local council to put up parking restrictions, or if it’s private land he may contact the landowners.

 

[barryd]

There are sites in France and Germany that sometimes have Aires attached to them. I remember one we stumbled upon by a river that had a proper site on the river, an aire behind that which was about seven Euros with pitches and services included and then an actual free aire behind that but you had to pay for the services which wasnt much. All three locations were busy and making money one way or another. Lots of sites will have a service point you can just call in and use. Generally for 2-4 Euros although I remember going to one for a fill and empty and they refused to take any money. They even let us use the laundry and ironing facilities!

You are fighting a loosing battle here though. I remember pulling into one campsite on a Scottish island and asking of we could "pay" to fill up and empty. They asked us if we were wild camping and of course I said we were and he refused to let us use the facilities, Even if we paid.

 

[Biggarmac]

Have a look on www.campra.org.uk .In the files there are documents which will help you to explain it to him. Allowing "service stops" for a fiver will give him an extra earner, especially when the site is full.
We are in the process of adding information on sites in Europe with aires attached.

 

[alcam]

Have a look on www.campra.org.uk .In the files there are documents which will help you to explain it to him. Allowing "service stops" for a fiver will give him an extra earner, especially when the site is full.
We are in the process of adding information on sites in Europe with aires attached.

If the owners are open minded it shouldn't be hard to get them to see the opportunities . Depending on campsite prices there is a good chance some wild campers might just stay the night

 

[mariesnowgoose]

The problem with any business, whether it's a campsite or not, is how open-minded and visionary the owners are.

You'd be surprised how many business owners haven't really got a damn clue about getting the most out of their businesses.
Or maybe they think they're making enough money already (hmm, not often, imo) that they can't be bothered to take their blinkers off when it comes to new ways of thinking.

Owning a piece of land or property doesn't mean the owners ever make the most of that privilege.
What grieves me most is where the land/property are owned by people you know have sufficient finances to create something good, but all they do is either neglect or trash it.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who spots lots of land and property driving around that is either badly neglected or mis-used/over-used.
Many a time I've thought "Oh, what I wouldn't do with that if I was lucky enough to have the money, opportunity ...." etc.
And there'll be plenty members have thought the same as me, I bet!

Maybe time, coupled with the ongoing effects of the pandemic, will open a few more minds where wildcamping is concerned?
It already seems to be happening in Scotland, for example, and CampRA looks to be making positive inroads.

Phoenixes can rise out of ashes - but only with the right influence and sufficient willpower from everyone involved

 

[Fisherman]

Have a look on www.campra.org.uk .In the files there are documents which will help you to explain it to him. Allowing "service stops" for a fiver will give him an extra earner, especially when the site is full.
We are in the process of adding information on sites in Europe with aires attached.

I had an idea a few years ago Mac.
You will be aware that the CCC run a scheme were for £7.20 members get three hours access. Well how about a scheme were you pay say £20 a year and from this an annual payment is made to every participating independent campsite. This then would give us access to any participating site for a fee of say £7 to empty our cassettes and grey water and replenish our fresh water. That way the sites receive an annual payment plus payments each time their facilities are used.
This would benefit everyone, and reduce the incidence of folk emptying their cassettes inappropriately. This would be a good scheme for those travelling from Europe who are not used to anti motorhome attitudes and lack of facilities here.
Just a thought.

 

[alcam]

The problem with any business, whether it's a campsite or not, is how open-minded and visionary the owners are.

You'd be surprised how many business owners haven't really got a damn clue about getting the most out of their businesses.
Or maybe they think they're making enough money already (hmm, not often, imo) that they can't be bothered to take their blinkers off when it comes to new ways of thinking.

Owning a piece of land or property doesn't mean the owners ever make the most of that privilege.
What grieves me most is where the land/property are owned by people you know have sufficient finances to create something good, but all they do is either neglect or trash it.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who spots lots of land and property driving around that is either badly neglected or mis-used/over-used.
Many a time I've thought "Oh, what I wouldn't do with that if I was lucky enough to have the money, opportunity ...." etc.
And there'll be plenty members have thought the same as me, I bet!

Maybe time, coupled with the ongoing effects of the pandemic, will open a few more minds where wildcamping is concerned?
It already seems to be happening in Scotland, for example, and CampRA looks to be making positive inroads.

Phoenixes can rise out of ashes - but only with the right influence and sufficient willpower from everyone involved

All very true .
I do think there are some encouraging signs , maybe due to current situation ? The fact that the Forestry have actually contacted this site is incredibly good news . As stated before I do think we [all members/organisations associated with motorhoming] should be proactive with any groups we can work alongside
Thinking National trust etc .
There are a few councils who are , at least , thinking positively . I do think even one email to the correct councillor [official] can make a huge difference
Campra did seem to get a wee bit stick on here but I think they are another string to our bow .
I , and I'm sure many others , still hope to get across the channel this year but will certainly be doing more travelling in Britain than usual .
So obviously there will be many more of us looking for places to stop
Sorry a few random thoughts there but , hopefully , some relevant

 

[Fisherman]

All very true .
I do think there are some encouraging signs , maybe due to current situation ? The fact that the Forestry have actually contacted this site is incredibly good news . As stated before I do think we [all members/organisations associated with motorhoming] should be proactive with any groups we can work alongside
Thinking National trust etc .
There are a few councils who are , at least , thinking positively . I do think even one email to the correct councillor [official] can make a huge difference
Campra did seem to get a wee bit stick on here but I think they are another string to our bow .
I , and I'm sure many others , still hope to get across the channel this year but will certainly be doing more travelling in Britain than usual .
So obviously there will be many more of us looking for places to stop
Sorry a few random thoughts there but , hopefully , some relevant

Right now what we have is not really whats required.
Yes CAMpRA did get some stick on here, and that’s a real shame.
We need an organisation to fight our corner, to educate the decision makers, and to put forward our POV. How many times have we read reports were we have been accused of various things with absolutely no evidence being provided. The level of ignorance about us and what we do is quite frankly staggering. This has to change and that will not be easy. Hopefully CAMpRA will come good, and thanks to them for all that they are doing.

 

[Robmac]

Personally I feel that a lot of this will trigger the end to true wildcamping though. I can see us being herded away from places we have visited for years and onto Aires where we can sit in regimented lines with other motorhomes, maybe with a view of a dual carriageway. That's progress I suppose. A layby outside a campsite is my idea of hell, it would also promote the idea of us being freeloaders to paying residents on the site.

Sorry but I just can't see any enjoyment in that.

 

[Fisherman]

Personally I feel that a lot of this will trigger the end to true wildcamping though. I can see us being herded away from places we have visited for years and onto Aires where we can sit in regimented lines with other motorhomes, maybe with a view of a dual carriageway. That's progress I suppose. A layby outside a campsite is my idea of hell, it would also promote the idea of us being freeloaders to paying residents on the site.

Sorry but I just can't see any enjoyment in that.

The problem Rob is if we just sit and take it as we have done for years then things will only get worse. I have said before, treat me like a normal road user, that will suffice. I am not looking for hundreds of aires to be developed, just better access to carparks that currently we have unfairly been banned from. I cannot see how trying to improve a situation that has developed over the years can do any harm. If we sit and do nothing two things will happen. First we will lose more and more POIS, and second more Motorhomes will appear year after year. That’s the perfect storm that awaits us Rob, and in my honest opinion doing nothing is not an option.
They could never build enough Aires to accommodate us all, we will always require the carparks, and lay-byes we currently use as well Rob.

 

[Robmac]

The problem Rob is if we just sit and take it as we have done for years then things will only get worse. I have said before, treat me like a normal road user, that will suffice. I am not looking for hundreds of aires to be developed, just better access to carparks that currently we have unfairly been banned from. I cannot see how trying to improve a situation that has developed over the years can do any harm. If we sit and do nothing two things will happen. First we will lose more and more POIS, and second more Motorhomes will appear year after year. That’s the perfect storm that awaits us Rob, and in my honest opinion doing nothing is not an option.

I've nothing against car parks being available Bill, especially if they are where I want to be, such as overlooking a nice Loch or the sea. I even use campsites quite often if it suits the plans for my trip ie. emptying waste etc.

But I also like parking in a Scottish lane, or a Yorkshire Dale or a patch of land in the Peak District. Imagine being woken up in the middle of the night and being told, "You can't park here, there's a designated car park in the town centre for wildcamping".

There are also places I would never give my patronage to after the way they have treated us in the past, no matter what the facilities. Masham springs to mind, as well as parts of Lincolnshire.

 

[Fisherman]

I've nothing against car parks being available Bill, especially if they are where I want to be, such as overlooking a nice Loch or the sea. I even use campsites quite often if it suits the plans for my trip ie. emptying waste etc.

But I also like parking in a Scottish lane, or a Yorkshire Dale or a patch of land in the Peak District. Imagine being woken up in the middle of the night and being told, "You can't park here, there's a designated car park in the town centre for wildcamping".

There are also places I would never give my patronage to after the way they have treated us in the past, no matter what the facilities. Masham springs to mind, as well as parts of Lincolnshire.

Rob, they will never be able to accommodate us all in such aires. And I doubt very much if these places will be built in such idyllic places you described Rob. Look at the current proposals for aires in places such as Inverness and other urban areas. I reckon thats were they will be built. God forbid Rob that we will be prevented from parking up where I am heading for 26 April. I would sell my van if it ever came to that.

 

[Robmac]

Rob, they will never be able to accommodate us all in such aires. And I doubt very much if these places will be built in such idyllic places you described Rob. Look at the current proposals for aires in places such as Inverness and other urban areas. I reckon thats were they will be built. God forbid Rob that we will be prevented from parking up where I am heading for 26 April. I would sell my van if it ever came to that.

Exactly what I would do Bill. I have a perfectly good boat with which I can wildcamp with complete freedom.

I may be wrong, and I hope I am. Unfortunately nowadays there are just too many motorhomes in this country for sites, aires or wildcamping which can only lead to unpopularity from non motorhomers and subsequently legislation against us. Personally, I might give stealth camping a go in a micro camper with the odd stop at a B&B.

 

[alcam]

Personally I feel that a lot of this will trigger the end to true wildcamping though. I can see us being herded away from places we have visited for years and onto Aires where we can sit in regimented lines with other motorhomes, maybe with a view of a dual carriageway. That's progress I suppose. A layby outside a campsite is my idea of hell, it would also promote the idea of us being freeloaders to paying residents on the site.

Sorry but I just can't see any enjoyment in that.

Hopefully it won't come to that . Urban carparks should be made available for those of us who like stopping in towns . There is no reason , that I can see, why this would be an alternative to parking in the hills .
I emphasise 'hopefully'

 

[Fisherman]

Exactly what I would do Bill. I have a perfectly good boat with which I can wildcamp with complete freedom.

I may be wrong, and I hope I am. Unfortunately nowadays there are just too many motorhomes in this country for sites, aires or wildcamping which can only lead to unpopularity from non motorhomers and subsequently legislation against us. Personally, I might give stealth camping a go in a micro camper with the odd stop at a B&B.

I reckon we will get there Rob.
Rob if they took down the barriers and the signs from most of the carparks, there would be plenty of space Rob, the problem we have is in recent years a combination of more vans and more and more restrictions have led to were we are now. As for stealth camping sounds good Rob.