Barrow Campsite’s Ewan McConachie warns Highland Council’s campervan scheme will ‘have a direct detrimental effect on my future business’
The owner of Barrow Campsite in Nairn, Ewan McConachie, has called on Highland Council “to support local businesses rather than work against us” amid a row over using local authority car parks for motorhomes.
Dozens of campsite owners across the north have already penned a letter to the council over its scheme to offer 12 car parks for overnight campervan stays and access to High Life Highland facilities for washing for £40 a week.
Earlier this week we revealed that Highland MSP Edward Mountain was informed that the local authority has sold “less than 40” passes as critics say the scheme may seriously damage their business as well as be unsafe and “potentially illegal”.
Now Mr McConachie, ahead of a crunch meeting between campsite owners and council officials tomorrow, believes the local authority must recognise what is at risk after he invested more around £250,000 to build up his site.
“As a local campsite owner who relies on the income of my business to support my family,” he said. “I feel that this scheme will have a direct detrimental effect on my future business.
“Not only is the council encouraging business away from my campsite but they are setting a precedent that tourists are welcome to flout rules when it comes to fire safety barriers in the way of safe spacing between vehicles.
“They are encouraging overnight parking where no waste facilities are present and, as has been witnessed time and time again, campervan drivers are sat drinking alcohol at Nairn harbour carpark while still in charge of their vehicles.
“Yes, the council has painted overnight stay bay on every second parking bay but that is in no way preventing vans parking adjacent to each other night after night. There is no one to police. Who is accountable should the unthinkable happen?”
Mc McConachie wants officials to realise the effort that goes into the business for those who have their own sites as much as those who rent out sites from the council of common good funds.
He said: “To build my own campsite was a long-time term dream which became reality. It took a year of planning, hundreds of thousands of pounds and many long days of hard work.
“Fortunately, I can say I found the Highland Council to be supportive of my build. Planning was approached carefully and methodically with an excellent Inverness based planning agent.
“That alone cost in excess of £20,000 six and a half years ago. SEPA, Nature Scot and Historic Scotland, were all consulted and paid for, to name just a few. We had to set out our site with fire safety in mind with a minimum six metre spacing between spots, and had to plan and erect toilet and shower facilities per environmental health regulations, build sewage systems and consider access from and to public roads.
“All this before the first spade hit the ground.
“Being self-employed and running a campsite is a very rewarding way of life. One which I hope to pass to my children. I just ask that the council continue to support local businesses rather than work against us.”
