FRESH calls have been made to scrap a Scottish council’s plans to halt the impact of the number of motorhomes and caravans on the NC500 route.
The Scotsman reports that a meeting was held to discuss tourism numbers in the Scottish Highlands, which saw the “universal disapproval” of a new, voluntary £40 charge for motorhomes.
Tory MSP for the Highlands and Islands Edward Mountain (below) had called a meeting to hear concerns from residents and businesses about tourist numbers on the NC500.
The meeting was held in Wick this week and raised Highland Council’s voluntary £40 charge for motorhome users.
We previously told how the plans have split opinion with some residents branding it “tone deaf” while one business owner said anger was overblown.
The plans allow drivers to park up overnight in a network of council-owned carparks, many on the NC500, and to use leisure centres for washing and showering.
Speaking after the meeting, Mountain said: “There was universal disapproval of this scheme at this meeting for the simple reason that Highland Council is now competing with private suppliers.”
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Campervan site owners have previously said the pass undermined established sites which are already struggling with bills for VAT, business rates, refuse collection and electricity.
Mountain also added that another issue with the voluntary charge was the lack of enforcement.
“The scheme is going to cost £2 million to implement and, so far, since July 1, there’s been 38 purchases of campervan spots,” he commented.
“I bet more than 38 have used those spaces, but there is no enforcement in place.
“The feeling I got from the meeting is that people would rather see it scrapped than have it paid for.”
He added that other issues raised included people not using designated campaign sites and parking in spots such as graveyards.
Mountain continued: “What was clear from the meeting is that people generally welcome tourism, but there was a requirement from the people there that communities are listened to, and there aren’t decisions like this scheme done without consultation.
"The general feeling was that no one wants to stop tourism, but we need to respond to demand.
"And the Highland Council, who are benefitting from the tourism, need to think about investing in the infrastructure otherwise these people won’t come back."
Highland Council has been contacted for comment.
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