Lagos Spain Looking to Banish Illegal and Wild Motorhome Practices

Penny13

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I could only copy it from The Algarve News ...


The Municipality of Lagos has approved the final proposal for the “Study of Planning for the Practice of Self-Caravanning in the Municipality of Lagos”, which will enable the municipality to manage this tourist activity efficiently, namely with regard the installation of new infrastructures and facilities for caravanners, whether public or private.

"The document is the culmination of a work that began with a survey, characterisation and diagnosis and, in a second phase, the identification of the territorial potential for the practice of motorhoming, which takes into account the need to safeguard of patrimonial, natural and landscape values, the sustainable use of resources, as well as the perspectives and interests of social and economic development of the municipality ".
The study predicts that "the potential for caravanning (caravans and motorhomes) in Portugal will increase by 50% in the next ten years.

The proposal has involved assessing the areas with the greatest potential for the location of Camping and Caravan Parks (PCC) and Motorhome Service Areas (ASA), classifying them in four classes: Priority, Opportunity, Negotiable and Critical.

Regarding the types of facilities to be created, with regard to the Camping and Caravan Parks, these may be related to the themes “Sun and Sea”, “Eco resorts” and “Rural Camping Parks”, aiming to allow the combination of caravanning with other activities in rural environment, such as agribusiness, wine tourism, fishing, hiking, cycling, etc.
Motorhome Service Areas may be themed as “Urban”, “Cultural and natural heritage”, and “Rural”, depending on their location. There will be defined “Parking Spaces”, commercial areas, fuel pumps /service stations and picnic parks on site.

Combating the illegal and wild practices of caravanning and motorhoming, minimising its harmful effects, and maximising the advantages and benefits that it can generate by the strengthening of local and regional tourism, are the main objectives of this study, which intends to focus on Lagos as one of the most sustainable and inclusive tourist destinations.

The strategy also recommends the modernisation and qualification of the existing facilities and the definition of minimum requirements and services provided at these PCC's and ASA's.
 
My son was saying the other night that they have been told to move on any motorhome that is seen wildcamping and send them to a campsite if they don't go they can fine you up to 100 euros :(
 
I'm guessing this is probably as a result of many years of people in mohos taking the P in the popular Portuguese hotspots?

More and more people have got into motor homing over the last few years.
Maybe it has just reached a point in Portugal (and Spain?) by sheer numbers where some action needed to be taken, especially when people don't show respect for a location, the environment, or the people who live there?
 
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Hopefully if they are thoughtful and cost conscious, about it, those who "wildcamp" in large numbers and upset locals will use the facilities instead.
The snag might be the parking might be tight so a lot won't be comfortable with that after usually being camped on a barragem with the nearest neighbour being 100 mtrs away and not affordable for a lot of winter visitors who are mostly retired and living on a pension 10 € a day is quite a hit to most of us.
Pity they passed this law then thought about where to park the vans
 
You do have to credit them with a bit of sense! I know that the GNR here are absolutely not bothered about one quiet overnight stop near the Barragem, but would be if there was a group and they left a mess. Free places in many towns, and as ***** says, many other aires which are priced at below €5. I also know of a couple who go on the "pay what you can afford" principal and sell organic veg and eggs to motorhomers to make up any shortfall. When one remembers the fact that we aren't paying for central heating in UK over the winter, the food is cheap, and we are on holiday, it balances out somewhat.
 

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