ShiftZZ
LIFE MEMBER
A NEWQUAY councillor has performed a U-turn on her plans to ban vans from parking overnight at Newquay's top surfing beach.
Joanna Kenny originally proposed to only allow cars to use parking bays close to Fistral beach between 10pm and 9am.
She devised the new rule after receiving numerous complaints that surfers and holidaymakers with campervans and motorhomes were using Esplanade Road as a free campsite.
But a backlash from the surfing community during a recent public consultation has led Ms Kenny and Cornwall Council to amend their plans.
The Cornish Guardian reported in January that Carve surf magazine had branded the move as "nuts", claiming it would mean pre-work or 'dawny' surf sessions would be off-limits for van owners.
Now the restrictions will only apply to campervans and motorhomes, as opposed to all vans, between midnight and 9am.
Ms Kenny, Cornwall councillor for the Pentire area, said: "We are working on a better solution for street campers.
"Only the overnight parking, from midnight, of motorhomes and campervans, will be restricted – other vans will only be at risk of a parking ticket if it's obvious they are being used for sleeping.
"This is exceptional, as enforcement officers are not normally permitted to make this sort of judgement.
"It's not foolproof – some people may get away with camping for a few days and some non-campers may have to appeal a parking ticket – but at least we won't be displacing all vans."
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Joanna Kenny originally proposed to only allow cars to use parking bays close to Fistral beach between 10pm and 9am.
She devised the new rule after receiving numerous complaints that surfers and holidaymakers with campervans and motorhomes were using Esplanade Road as a free campsite.
But a backlash from the surfing community during a recent public consultation has led Ms Kenny and Cornwall Council to amend their plans.
The Cornish Guardian reported in January that Carve surf magazine had branded the move as "nuts", claiming it would mean pre-work or 'dawny' surf sessions would be off-limits for van owners.
Now the restrictions will only apply to campervans and motorhomes, as opposed to all vans, between midnight and 9am.
Ms Kenny, Cornwall councillor for the Pentire area, said: "We are working on a better solution for street campers.
"Only the overnight parking, from midnight, of motorhomes and campervans, will be restricted – other vans will only be at risk of a parking ticket if it's obvious they are being used for sleeping.
"This is exceptional, as enforcement officers are not normally permitted to make this sort of judgement.
"It's not foolproof – some people may get away with camping for a few days and some non-campers may have to appeal a parking ticket – but at least we won't be displacing all vans."
Broken Link Removed