Motorhome and campervan drivers have been given a lifeline with the launch of a new overnight parking trial across a popular Welsh region.
The new scheme by Pembrokeshire County Council has officially launched and allows self-contained campervans and motorhomes to stay overnight for a single night only.
The cost of using the site is £10 per stay and forms part of a two-year trial backed by temporary planning permission from the council.
The aim of the new parking is to provide a safe and controlled place for overnight stays while managing growing demand from van users visiting the area.
The site has been chosen due to its location near Fishguard Port, making it a practical stop for travellers arriving in or leaving west Wales.
Clear rules have been introduced to control how the site is used, with signs at Goodwick Moor car park setting out strict conditions that all users must follow.
The rules state: “Overnight parking and sleeping, maximum stay of one night. This means no extended stays are allowed, and vehicles must move on after one night.
“No furniture to be stored outside the vehicle, and no awnings or other covers to be erected. This is to keep the area tidy and avoid it being turned into a semi-permanent campsite.”
The new overnight parking rules will be in place for two years
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GETTY/PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Further restrictions include that no Liquefied Petroleum Gas bottles can be stored outside, and no outside cooking or open fires for safety reasons.
Importantly, the council said there will be no waste or recycling facilities provided at the site, with visitors also expected to manage all waste within their own vehicles and leave the site clean.
The scheme has been introduced as a way to offer an alternative to informal parking in laybys, roadside stops, or unregulated areas, which have become more common as the number of motorhome users has increased in recent years.
Council officers said they will also monitor how the site is used throughout the trial period and will look at levels of demand, behaviour on site, and any impact on the surrounding area.
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Local reaction to the new parking options has been mixed, with some welcoming the move as a positive step for tourism and larger vehicles, while others believe the offer is too limited.
Steve Hughes, from Fishguard North West Council, said he was pleased the scheme had finally been launched but felt it did not go far enough.
He said: “I’m pleased to see this initiative finally up and running, but it doesn’t go far enough in my opinion to offer the services expected from the rapidly increasing ‘vanlife’ community.
“Whether on holiday or permanently touring, this is a financial resource many towns should be looking to take advantage of.”
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He also suggested the scheme should not be seen as competition for traditional campsites, but offered something new for “customers looking for a safe overnight park up”.
He added: “I look forward to seeing how this trial period works and hope that further services can be added in future.”
However, not everyone is convinced by the new parking measures, with some residents questioning the £10 fee and the lack of facilities such as toilets, showers, or waste disposal.
There are also concerns about what will happen after the trial, with some residents questioning whether failure to comply with the new rules could lead to stricter restrictions in future.