CONTENTIOUS plans are being looked at to provide a place to park up in Newquay for people who live in their vehicles.

Mayor Drew Creek and councillor Abigail Hubbucks are exploring the possibility of creating a ‘meanwhile site’ in the town for ’van lifers.’

Meanwhile sites in Bristol provide temporary pitches on council-owned land for vehicle dwellers, offering a “safer, managed space” with basic facilities including water, sewage and rubbish as an alternative to roadside living. The demand is far exceeding the current 65 available spots in Bristol.

Cllr Creek and Cllr Hubbucks have held meetings with councillors and officers from Bristol City Council to discuss how the scheme works. It follows residents being opposed to van lifers parking up in council car parks and along residential streets in Newquay due to alleged antisocial behaviour.

The mayor argues ‘van lifers’ should be supported rather than “demonised” as many provide the workforce in the tourist economy. He also stated many have no choice but to live in vehicles due to the high rents charged locally.

Cllr Creek said: “The van dweller meetings have taken place between Cllr Hubbucks, myself and councillors and officers from Bristol City Council.

“Bristol has some innovative ways of supporting van dwellers which have increased in numbers in Bristol some years ago. There are many more now in Newquay and some seek to demonise these people but in reality, where would our shops, cafes and restaurants be without the workers to staff them?

“In reality even if you can afford a rental in Newquay there aren’t very many available so what choice do people have. Bristol run meanwhile sites on land that is earmarked for development but has not yet started and for a nominal fee these are offered as safe secure sites for van dwellers with many waste and water facilities available.

“This seems to me to be a far better idea for all involved and I for one am keen to explore this approach.”

Around 50 people attended a peaceful protest at Esplanade Road on Tuesday, August 25 to highlight their frustration authorities are not doing more to clampdown on the alleged unruly behaviour. There has also been annual concern about the amount of van lifers annually parking up at Towan Headland car park.

The control of the car park was outsourced to private parking firm Initial Parking based in Birmingham to try and stop the area from turning into an annual summer campsite through introducing an ANPR system. But there was a barrage of criticism about the effectiveness of the cameras as campers sleeping in their vehicles overnight stuck tape on their registration plates to ensure they did not receive a penalty charge notice and have allegedly continued to cause antisocial behaviour.

Towan Headland car park has now returned to the management of Cornwall Council and the ANPR cameras have ceased working. A working party has been set up to consider the implications. Plans are being made for the enforcement of parking use and the prevention of antisocial behaviour.