Sutherland caravan and campsite operators lead new organisation to represent sector in face of Highland Council’s motorhome scheme and proposed visitor levy
Caravan and campsite operators across the Highlands have joined forces in the face of the Highland Council’s motorhome scheme and proposal for a visitor levy.
The Highland Caravan and Campsites Association (HCCA) was launched at a meeting last Friday, chaired by Sutherland councillor Jim McGillivary.
The group has 31 members representing 1418 touring pitches and 217 other pitches (glamping, static caravans, seasonal touring) across the Highlands.
Sutherland caravan and camping operators are playing a leading role in the new organisation set up to promote and represent the sector in the Highlands.
HCCA is chaired by Ann Edwards, who runs Camping at Golspie and Camping Pod Heaven. The secretary and treasurer are Darren and Lynne Redfern, who run Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park.
Caravan and campsite operators are opposed to the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme introduced by Highland Council last year.
The controversial scheme offers campervan and motorhome users the use of 12 council-owned car parks for overnight stays and access to High Life Highland facilities for washing for £40 a week.
Caravan and campsite operators are also concerned about Highland Council’s proposed new visitor tax, which is currently out for consultation.
Motorhome users staying on the sites will be subject to the levy, but those parking ‘off-site’ will not.
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Ms Edwards said the group was focused on the visitor levy and would be submitting an “informed response” to ensure Highland Council understood how the motorhome scheme would negatively affect business.
“As a group we have many questions about this levy which are not satisfactorily answered in the consultation document provided,” she said. “We will be collating all of our questions and concerns over the next couple of weeks and providing a more comprehensive response.
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“We are also concerned about the negative impact that ‘off-site parking’ by motorhomes is having on our businesses and look forward to working closely with various agencies to address the problems that this is causing.”
Ms Edwards added: “We are excited about our future as an organisation and hope to work alongside Highland Council, Business Improvement Districts, Chambers of Commerce, and other organisations to safeguard our livelihoods from challenges and threats and to promote our wonderful and varied campsites so that we can continue to welcome visitors to our area for many years to come."
Lynn and Darren Redfern said: “We have been campaigning for the interests of caravan parks for years. and now we can draw on the collective knowledge and expertise from the generations of experience that our fellow campsite owners have to offer.”
Cllr Jim McGillivray said it was an honour to chair the inaugural meeting of the Highland Caravan and Camping Sites Association.
He said: “I am in full agreement with the mood of those assembled that Highland Council should not be using public money and public resources to encourage motorhome use of council car parks and thus compete directly against the private sector, those businesses who pay substantial business rates, licensing costs and waste collection fees and continue to provide a valuable service for our visitors.
“I also fully subscribe to the extremely critical views expressed at the meeting about the proposed Visitor Levy and wish the HCCA every success in its endeavours to fight for the best interests of its members.”
