Motorhome and campervan owners have been warned they could be hit with new restrictions across popular areas in a popular tourist destination after thousands of Britons demanded action.
It comes after a campaign to remove motorhomes from Bristol’s Downs has gathered more than 8,000 signatures, with the local authority now being forced to act.
The “Protect the Downs” activist group presented their case at a Bristol City Council meeting, calling for the removal of the larger vehicles from the historic green space.
The petition, which has attracted support from residents in affluent areas surrounding the parkland, cites serious public health concerns, environmental damage and safety risks.
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The council will launch a consultation on prohibiting vehicle dwelling in September
Campaigners report incidents of human waste disposal in bushes, threatening behaviour, drug use and fly-tipping. The movement has gained momentum following months of protests, including a demonstration walk in June that drew attention to what organisers describe as deteriorating conditions on the protected common land.
Bristol City Council has now drafted a new policy on vehicle dwelling that will undergo public consultation in September.
Councillor Barry Parsons confirmed the council is pursuing legal measures to prevent people from residing in caravans and motorhomes on the parkland. However, any injunction would only apply to vehicles on one side of the road, addressing just part of the issue.
The council recently appointed a dedicated project manager to coordinate efforts across housing, transport and public safety departments.
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A petition on protecting Bristol Downs from motorhomes and campervans received thousands of signatures
Additional preventative measures under consideration include installing posts to reduce vehicle-related dangers and new signage as immediate confidence-building steps. But motorhomes and campervans on the Downs face an uncertain future as the council weighs enforcement options.
Campaigners have documented what they describe as unprecedented environmental destruction, including burnt-out caravans, extensive littering and vehicle abandonment.
Protect the Downs members report that council workers attempting to clear hazardous waste have encountered abuse and intimidation.
The group’s petition highlighted additional concerns about emergency vehicle access being blocked by closely parked vans and the impact of generators running through the night.
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Tony Nelson, the petition organiser, also raised an alarm about potential human trafficking and illegal subletting within the encampments.
The campaign argued that permitting vehicle dwelling obscures the distinction between those genuinely homeless and those making lifestyle choices, potentially diverting resources from those most in need.
Motorhome and campervan owners have expressed deep anxiety about their housing situation, with many stating they have “no alternative” accommodation options.
One self-employed tradesman who became homeless five months previously, told The Guardian he feared being forced to relocate his motorhome after unsuccessful attempts to secure help from the council and charities.
PA | Motorhomes and campervans have limited parking options across the UKCouncil data revealed that the inability to secure affordable accommodation remains the primary reason people resort to vehicle dwelling on the Downs.
Despite plans to develop land for over 250 new spaces, these won’t materialise in the immediate future, leaving current residents in limbo.
Parsons acknowledged that vehicle dwellers are “fellow residents of Bristol” and deserve equal support, while recognising that displacing encampments from one location merely shifts the problem elsewhere.
Protect the Downs has instructed legal counsel to challenge the council’s approach, particularly its stated intention to only “invite and ask” vehicle dwellers to relocate rather than enforce removal.
