There will be restricted access from now on for vans and high-top vehicles trying to access a car park at a Gower beauty spot, in a bid to stop them parking overnight and end 'drunkenness, fighting and aggression'
The height barrier at the entrance to the car park has been lowered to six foot, forcing vans and high-rise vehicles to park at the back of the car park, furthest away from the beach front.
A Facebook post by Penrice Castle Cottages, linked to Penrice Castle Estate which runs the car park, states: "We would like to let all van owners know that the height barrier at Oxwich has been lowered to six foot. This means that the only parking for vans and high top vehicles will be in the back of the car park next to the entrance hut. We advise van owners to arrive early to avoid disappointment. This measure has been taken to stop illegal overnight parking on the beach front which has been a serious problem in recent months." You can get more Swansea news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Penrice Castle said there would be a side barrier where larger vehicles could access the car park, but they would have to leave at 5:30pm when it was locked. The decision to change the vehicle height restriction has divided users of the car park with one Facebook user commenting on the announcement to say that they: "Fully support the move. It's been awful over the last month. Camper vans taking over with smoky fires, loud music and piles of rubbish. If the side gate will be opened for vans with kayaks etc - brilliant. I struggle with my kayak and go as early as possible to get close to the slipway."
Another Facebook user commented that: "This is terrible. What about those of us who want to spend the day there but want to have their van at the front? It's the reason why we go," and a local parent said they "won't be coming back" to the car park as they usually park their transit van in the car park which they use to transport their children, dogs and paddle boards to the beach. You can read more stories about Oxwich here.
A spokesperson from Penrice Castle said: "The measure has been taken to stop illegal and unauthorised overnight stays by vans on the beach front. This has been a problem for many years but has reached unacceptable proportions since Covid.
"Over recent weekends, the beach front has been monopolised by some van owners who refuse to move and become aggressive when approached. There have been incidents of drunkenness and fighting. As usual, it is a question of the minority ruining things for the majority of van owners. Only vans launching boats will be allowed to the front but they must be out by 5.30pm when the side barrier is locked. In certain circumstances, we may also allow vans with kayaks to off load at the front provided they then park in the rear car park."
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