A PEACEFUL protest was held in Newquay following concerns about alleged antisocial behaviour by people who live in their vans.

Around 50 residents gathered at Esplanade Road on Tuesday, August 25, to highlight their frustration that authorities are not doing more to clampdown on the alleged “unruly behaviour”, which was attended by the police.

They say ‘van lifers’ have destroyed vegetation on Esplanade village green, lit fires, been abusive and have annually taken up much needed parking spaces. But some residents and a local trader say the van lifers have been respectful and have never seen them cause any antisocial behaviour.

Newquay Town Council erected a mobile following efforts to protect the village green and the civil enforcement officers handing out penalty charge notices to van owners who park at Esplanade Green between midnight and 9am to deter people sleeping in their vehicles.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said: “The demonstration was held due to the high level of anti-social behaviour that has become common in the last two summers, caused entirely by only a handful of van lifers living on Esplanade Road.

“Many issues have occurred including destroying vegetation at the green, which is protected, starting fires, toxic waste from surfboard foam released into the air, homophobic and vulgar language, dogs off leads causing problems for dog walkers, as well as a case of unprovoked physical violence to a local surfer.

“It’s been mentioned that a parking warden was horribly abused verbally and might be why these few are not getting tickets, despite camping on Esplanade Road which is illegal.”

Kaatje Coffee, who operates a mobile coffee van at Esplanade Road, said: “I have never seen any antisocial behaviour from the people who live in their vans.

“They have always been respectful and kind. They do not litter or poo anywhere. All the things the protestors say they have done I have never seen them do it and I’m here daily.

“One issue is that the big motorhome owners park up on busy surf days and empty their toilet systems onto the street, which is disgusting. Van lifers get the blame for that and they are the ones keeping the area clean and tidy.”

Another resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, added: “Having 50 people turn up on your doorstep is never going to feel peaceful.

“A lot of this has been blown out of all proportion. Van lifers are not the problem. They cannot be blamed for everything that goes on. They do not drink and one guy making a surfboard was a one off. The only criticism is not they do not move around regularly enough.”

Another resident said: “I think there has been antisocial behaviour. The problem is these people who live in their vans are parking up for too long and others cannot come and go. There are people with mobility issues so people cannot bring them to see the view because there are no spaces.”

A spokesperson for Pentire Residents’ Association said: “The demonstration by a large group of local residents and surfers, protesting against the ongoing issue of ‘van lifers’ living in the road, some of them for months.

“There was some excitable debate, but nothing out of hand. The police arrived to persuade the demonstrators to disperse.

“The demonstration was a clear indication of how the local community feels, and its frustration as to why there has been insufficient action taken.

“The residents association continues to work with Cornwall Council, Newquay Town Council and the parking enforcement team, to get improvements implemented and for the illegal activities to be stopped. We recently put forward a number of suggestions, and we are having follow up meetings to see these through.

“If anyone has any constructive ideas about this issue let us know.”