Freedom of information

I suppose it's saying much the same as these signs

The sign at the old bus station car park is different to the above. It says that overnighting is not permitted.

The single sign at The Commons as the photo was apparently erected this morning. It is fixed to a pole at the service bay.

Tonight there are about 15 MH parked at The Commons plus a further 3 at the leisure centre car park and a further 1 at old bus station car park.

Also got speaking to a couple of locals who was walking their dogs. They were very apologetic regarding how motorhomes were being hounded and were quite clear where they thought the problem was being caused. They said as far as the locals and local businesses were concerned the motorhomes were very welcome.

What are these much talked about Aires? Click

forum/xt.php?app=cbackcms&content=4

This was posted on the local 'dee site, I think it shows that the council are doing their best and, hopefully, there will be the outcome we, and many motorhomers want
Breezers: Communiqué sent to our council representatives explaining the current state of affairs regarding the overnighting of MH's.


You may be aware of recent media coverage relating to Council’s actions to restrict the use of the Commons at Donaghadee by motorhomes. Should you receive any queries from residents or media, please find below context information that may be helpful to you.

Following a legal challenge, which is in progress currently, officers have had to act to ensure the Council is fully compliant with all relevant legislation and not inadvertently operating an unlicensed caravan site.

Prior to the legal challenge the Council believed a bye-law specific to the Commons permitted overnight parking of motorhomes but it has transpired that the bye-law is superseded by The Caravan Act (1963), which classes a motorhome as a caravan and imposes a number of mandatory conditions/provisions where a site is used for sleeping/habitation.

There continue to be no restrictions on general parking at the Commons provided the occupants are not sleeping in their vehicle, so effectively use is during daylight hours only. It is hoped this will ensure motorhome visitors will still visit Donaghadee’s many shops, bar and restaurants while in the town.

The Tourism team has advised the motorhome fraternity, as far as possible, of the current situation and directed them to a listing of the Borough’s private caravan sites. Information is also posted on www.discoverni.com.

The Enforcement team has undertaken to monitor compliance with new signage at the Commons, which makes it clear that the site must not be used as a caravan site/for human habitation, as per the advice of the Council’s solicitor.

Looking forward, as you may be aware one of the recommendations of our car park strategy, which is still in draft, is an expansion of designated motorhome facilities across the Borough. Officers are working in anticipation of Council approving this outcome, including preparing the regulatory groundwork needed to underpin implementation. This process is being prioritised for The Commons with a view to reopening access to overnight use by motorhomes as soon as possible, as this was already a ‘designated’ site for that purpose and contains the borough’s only motorhome service point.



Ards and North Down Borough Council
Town Hall, The Castle
Bangor, BT20 4BT

A bit of deja vu there, but the legal department of Cork Co. Co. told the caravan park owners to basically 'take a hike'.
The result, a 5* 30 bay motorhome parking area plus a services bay. READ IT HERE
BTW, the €20,000 generated in 2018 by the €10 p/n parking charge has been ringfenced for spending on local community projects.

Mr Smith sent a follow up message to Ards and North Down Borough Council (27 May 2019)
"Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews. I am writing to request an internal review of Ards and North Down Bo..."
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com…ing-903773