Call to ban overnight campervan parking on clifftop

Seaside residents and councillors have accused a Dorset council of stalling over measures to stop overnight campervan parking on a clifftop.

People living along Boscombe and Southbourne Overcliff Drive said Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council had failed to act despite worsening health and safety hazards.

Their comments came after hundreds of residents packed a community meeting demanding action from the council.

BCP Council said it was considering feedback from residents and stakeholders as it looked to find a long-term solution.

Residents living near the clifftop have raised concerns over blocked sightlines on coastal bends, gas canister fire hazards, and discarded human waste in public open spaces.

Hilary Porter lives nearby and said the main problem was the health and safety issue.

"It's not just overnight sleeping, it really has become like an unregulated campsite," she said.

Another local resident, Dr Alan McBride, said BCP Council was "just not listening to local residents".

"They asked for evidence, we've given them evidence, and they're still not listening to us," he said.

"We've given them photographic evidence of human waste, clotheslines being installed, and how dangerous it is trying to turn out of most these roads and avenues.

"Over 1800 local residents have signed an online petition, but it's pretty poor when your own council isn't listening to council tax payers."

In 2023, a public consultation showed 72% of responding residents supported a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order restricting overnight sleeping in vehicles on the highway.

Cabinet members voted in July 2023 not to proceed with the ban and allocated an estimated £10,000 for a feasibility study that has never been published.

Richard Herrett, council cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said he understood residents' concerns.

"Reports of antisocial behaviour, obstruction, littering, waste and abandoned vehicles are taken seriously and investigated, with enforcement action taken where appropriate," he said.

"There is currently lots of information being considered by the council, including feedback from residents, councillors and stakeholders, alongside studies and consultations, like the Van Life Listening Enquiry.

"This is part of the council's ongoing work in this area to find a long-term resolution.

"Our focus is on finding practical, long-term solutions that protect local communities while meeting our legal responsibilities, and on ensuring our public spaces remain safe, clean and welcoming for residents and visitors alike."

Emily Brossard from France has been living in a van in Bournemouth for three years.

She says that other van life people leaving human waste and litter is unacceptable.

"That's absolutely vile, and it upsets me", she said.

"I think that's disgusting, and gives a really bad image of us. But 99% of us are quiet and respectful" she said.

"It's free parking, we are not directly in front of people's drives or windows, I think there are bigger things to worry about in life".