Aires For The Scottish Highlands

Excellent news and making it onto mainstream media is great too. Looks like Scotland is being progressive once again. Hopefully England and Wales will follow suit when they realise they are missing a trick.
 
I really hope that petty landowner politics and our 2 clubs don’t get involved and spoil it. These Aires just need dumping facilities and in a quiet (for the locals) areaDon’t go mad and turn them into Stalag luft 42 like some of the club sites. I know I may get some flack for this suggestion but for the small payment stick up an ANPR camera and a sign with payment methods, then the many that think they can clear off without paying will think twice.
Better still No charge, but donations accepted.
 
Otter Spotter said:
I really hope that petty landowner politics and our 2 clubs don’t get involved and spoil it. These Aires just need dumping facilities and in a quiet (for the locals) areaDon’t go mad and turn them into Stalag luft 42 like some of the club sites. I know I may get some flack for this suggestion but for the small payment stick up an ANPR camera and a sign with payment methods, then the many that think they can clear off without paying will think twice.
Better still No charge, but donations accepted.
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This would be a milestone if it gets the green light and an example to the rest of the UK, however, l disagree with your final sentence.
There needs to be a charge in to ensure some kind of order and this must be to gain access to the Aire otherwise free access will guarantee abuse of the space and facilities that we are all so aware of.

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wiljoy said:
.......... As long as we have so called friendly motorhome clubs lobbying to stop Aires our chances are slim. .............
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Otter Spotter said:
I really hope that petty landowner politics and our 2 clubs don’t get involved and spoil it. ................
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Question and answer at C&MC AGM a week or two back.
Q - I understand the Club has recognised the need for "UK type Aires" How and when does the Club intend to progress this?
A - For many years we have been conducting member insight surveys to understand the differing needs of all our members and how we may address the needs of differing segments within the membership. At the beginning of this year we commenced an exploration as to whether this is something we could viably offer. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, this project is currently temporarily suspended, however it is planned to re-initiate in 2021. This remains a complex area as local authorities provide this service in Europe but there is no statutory system or obligation for authorities to cater for tourism in the U.K. and many local authorities do not have the available capital. In the U.K. our Certificated Location licensing system can be used for this and we are constantly looking to develop the number of CLs within our network. However, it is highly likely there would be modest charges for these as they are privately owned and operated.
 
So basically, they would like to increase the number of CL sites that they can derive an income from plus the site owners (which is fair as they can put up with a lot). Aires as far as I was aware, are basic spaces with dumping facilities, not much else and generally little or no charge. I would suggest that the type of campervanners these Aires in Scotland are aimed at are the ones that wouldn’t pay anything so CL sites would not suit them.
I would use them but in between club site stays on route.
My main concern is that if too regimented and costly, they will not get used and then the problems may well persist, causing alternative plans such as outright banning of Campervan/Motorhome parking.
 
It would be interesting to see what the number of units using the ‘stay in the forest’ sites has been as they are currently the closed to an Aire apart from the obvious Aires.
 
It's often claimed but can someone point me to the lobbying done by the big clubs to scupper aires, I'd like to see it.
 
I don't think there is actually any "lobbying" per se. It's just that the poll of their members is of no use whatsoever because, by definition, their members don't use aires. Thus they won't be actively promoting them, or even get involved IMO.
 
I for one, if it does happen, hope these aires are located away from picturesque beauty spots.
Aires are meant to be for overnighting, not camping - and you just know that if they're anywhere 'nice' some will take liberties.
 
Jim said:
It's often claimed but can someone point me to the lobbying done by the big clubs to scupper aires, I'd like to see it.
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Surely, any "lobbying" would be covert not overt, quiet words with planning officials because it would be very poor publicity for the Clubs.
The lack of evidence doesn't mean it's not happening... doesn't mean it is either ;) .
 
Otter Spotter said:
It would be interesting to see what the number of units using the ‘stay in the forest’ sites has been as they are currently the closed to an Aire apart from the obvious Aires.
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It would, but this is not a normal year. The numbers for this year, particularly autumn will look like a very small number of users. I do hope the scheme will continue when we get back to more normal times.
 
Langtoftlad said:
I for one, if it does happen, hope these aires are located away from picturesque beauty spots.
Aires are meant to be for overnighting, not camping - and you just know that if they're anywhere 'nice' some will take liberties.
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dont you just know it, 5 big dogs, 4 awnings out, 3 kayaks spread out over the adjoining pitch, 2 quad bikes and not a space for anyone else

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Is everyone who has posted here aware of a group who is lobbying councils and other organisations to provide aires, all over the U.K. not just the highlands?

The group, CAMpRA has a FB page and a website. It has already succeeded in getting the National Trust England to agree in principle to allow overnight parking and are in contact with the owners of CampingCarparks with a view to them setting up aires in the U.K. If you want aires and aren’t already a member, take a look and see if you can help.

The item in the opening post is in fact quite old. The planning application for at least one of the places, Kessock, has been withdrawn. Many of us have emailed the Highland Council and the Scottish government about this.
 
Langtoftlad said:
Surely, any "lobbying" would be covert not overt, quiet words with planning officials because it would be very poor publicity for the Clubs.
The lack of evidence doesn't mean it's not happening... doesn't mean it is either ;) .
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So what are you saying?
 
Come on Jim, it’s obvious, what he is saying is, You will not find any evidence of Lobbying, because lobbying is done quietly without fan fair and without recording so no you will not find any.
 
Otter Spotter said:
Come on Jim, it’s obvious, what he is saying is, You will not find any evidence of Lobbying, because lobbying is done quietly without fan fair and without recording so no you will not find any.
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...or I might be saying, the lack of evidence means it's not happening ?
o_O
 
bridgedino said:
dont you just know it, 5 big dogs, 4 awnings out, 3 kayaks spread out over the adjoining pitch, 2 quad bikes and not a space for anyone else
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Sounds just like a German Van i saw parked at the airfield at Benicasim this year,,BUSBY,, :giggle:

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Jim said:
It's often claimed but can someone point me to the lobbying done by the big clubs to scupper aires, I'd like to see it.
Click to expand...

More important to have translucency in any effort to support the growth of the burgeoning Motorhome market that desperately needs better availability of places to stay that offer access to Towns/Villages etc.

This should also be a joint effort involving Manufacturers who enjoy the benefits of the growth but appear to put lititle effort into the needs of their customer base other than always featuring a Motorhome parked in the most idilic position that’s creates the dream of what is simply not available.
 

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