Concerns rise over repeated overnight campervan stays in Weston-super-Mare
Residents across Weston-super-Mare have renewed calls for action after campervans and motorhomes were reported as regularly staying overnight on residential streets close to the town's parks and seafront. Complaints to North Somerset Council name areas such as Clarence Park, Ellenborough Park and stretches of the town's seafront as frequent locations for the vehicles.
Local people say the problem extends beyond vehicles being parked overnight. They report finding rubbish and waste outside homes, disturbances caused by late-night activity and instances of obstruction on narrow streets. The growing frustration reflects a persistent tension between visitors using campervans and long-term residents who say their neighbourhoods are being used as overnight camping spaces.
Council leader Mike Bell described the matter as a "perennial issue" and urged closer scrutiny of the powers available to the authority. He made clear the complaints are not aimed at responsible campervan users but at those who treat residential roads as camping sites with little regard for local people.
"This isn't about responsible campervan owners ... It's about people effectively using residential streets as overnight camping areas and showing little or no consideration for the people who actually live there."
The leader indicated the council will review existing rules to see whether they are sufficient to manage repeated problems. Potential responses under consideration include additional parking restrictions in hotspots and stronger enforcement where complaints have been persistent. The council is also looking at measures to tackle littering, waste and antisocial behaviour associated with overnight stays.
- Reported locations: Clarence Park, Ellenborough Park, seafront stretches
- Main concerns: rubbish and waste left outside homes, noise disturbance, obstruction and antisocial behaviour
- Council response: review of powers, possible parking restrictions and enforcement changes; asking residents to share experiences
For people who live in the affected streets, the problem is tangible. Evening quiet is interrupted when people gather outside vehicles, and some say morning routines are spoiled by clearing up discarded items. In areas near the seafront, the conflict has an added dimension: the town's coastline is a draw for visitors and contributes to local trade, but residents say that attraction should not come at the expense of their streets.
Enforcement is not straightforward. The council must balance the rights of vehicle owners who park legally with the need to prevent behaviour that amounts to sustained camping and nuisance. The leader’s call for a review suggests officials want to identify where existing powers may be insufficient and where targeted measures could reduce pressure on neighbourhoods without unfairly penalising law-abiding visitors.
| Issue | Impact on residents |
|---|---|
| Rubbish and waste | Clearing litter from outside homes; health and visual concerns |
| Noise and disturbance | Interrupted sleep; loss of evening quiet |
| Obstruction | Access problems on narrow streets; parking stress for locals |
North Somerset Council is asking residents to provide details of where overnight stays occur and the nature of the problems they have encountered. Those reports will help shape any targeted interventions in locations where complaints are repeatedly made.
Local councillors and community groups are likely to be watching the review closely. Any decision to introduce new parking controls or to step up enforcement will have practical implications — on-street parking capacity, signage, and the resources required to monitor compliance — and will need to be balanced against tourism and visitor needs during busy periods.
As the council examines its options, residents say they want timely action and clear communication about any changes. For many, the issue is about preserving the character and liveability of Weston-super-Mare’s neighbourhoods while recognising that the town's attractions will continue to draw visitors, including those travelling by campervan.
