campervanannie
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A network of French style 'aires' will be developed in Gwynedd to allow campervans to stay overnight in the county's towns. Gwynedd Council has secured funding for six sites that will be located within walking distance of town centres.
These small urban stopover sites are common in France and last year CAMPRA - the Campaign for Real Aires UK - called for them to be rolled out in the UK. Gwynedd council has received £240,000 in funding from Welsh Government to develop their Aros-fan project.
They will upgrade assets such as public car parks in six destinations. It will provide a network of locations that will create legitimate provision for 'overnight' parking and sleeping throughout the year for motorhomes.
READ MORE: Holidaymakers staying in Wales WON'T have to pay tourism tax for 'years'
The idea is also that because they are centrally located they help bring money into shops, pubs and restaurants in these communities. They will also help reduce illegal and inappropriate parking by some campervan owners.
It is part of Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics capital fund will be shared among 18 projects that will help deliver small-scale infrastructure improvements in strategically important tourism locations across Wales.
Dafydd Williams, head of Environment for Gwynedd Council, said: “Gwynedd Council has undertaken significant research into motorhomes in the county and has listened to the views of communities, motorhome owners and camp site operators in order to understand illegal or inappropriate overnight stays within the county.
“Through the Brilliant Basics funded project we will pilot a network of up to six ‘Aros-fan’ sites across Gwynedd which will provide appropriate over-night provision for motorhomes and campervans with their own on board facilities.”
Sioned Williams, head of Economy and Community for Gwynedd Council, said: “In order to support the local economy, all six sites will be located within walking distance to key towns and destinations, will have basic services and will operate a strict 48 hour maximum stay.
Although these facilities will not be operational this summer, we hope that all relevant infrastructure will be in place by Spring 2023. If the pilot proves successful - the council may consider the development of further Aros-fan facilities in the county in the future."
These small urban stopover sites are common in France and last year CAMPRA - the Campaign for Real Aires UK - called for them to be rolled out in the UK. Gwynedd council has received £240,000 in funding from Welsh Government to develop their Aros-fan project.
They will upgrade assets such as public car parks in six destinations. It will provide a network of locations that will create legitimate provision for 'overnight' parking and sleeping throughout the year for motorhomes.
READ MORE: Holidaymakers staying in Wales WON'T have to pay tourism tax for 'years'
The idea is also that because they are centrally located they help bring money into shops, pubs and restaurants in these communities. They will also help reduce illegal and inappropriate parking by some campervan owners.
It is part of Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics capital fund will be shared among 18 projects that will help deliver small-scale infrastructure improvements in strategically important tourism locations across Wales.
Dafydd Williams, head of Environment for Gwynedd Council, said: “Gwynedd Council has undertaken significant research into motorhomes in the county and has listened to the views of communities, motorhome owners and camp site operators in order to understand illegal or inappropriate overnight stays within the county.
“Through the Brilliant Basics funded project we will pilot a network of up to six ‘Aros-fan’ sites across Gwynedd which will provide appropriate over-night provision for motorhomes and campervans with their own on board facilities.”
Sioned Williams, head of Economy and Community for Gwynedd Council, said: “In order to support the local economy, all six sites will be located within walking distance to key towns and destinations, will have basic services and will operate a strict 48 hour maximum stay.
Although these facilities will not be operational this summer, we hope that all relevant infrastructure will be in place by Spring 2023. If the pilot proves successful - the council may consider the development of further Aros-fan facilities in the county in the future."
