Plans have been unveiled that could see Dumfries and Galloway cash in on the staycation boom.
Research shows that 250,000 motorhomes were in use in the UK in 2020, and a further 15,000 were registered last year – which is a 36 percent increase in new registrations year on year.
Dumfries and Galloway Council has now drawn up plans to attract more motorhome visitors to the region by encouraging land owners and small businesses to create new motorhome aires (overnight parking spots).
No planning permission is required and they could access a grant of up to £5,000 if proposals are approved at the council’s economy and resources committee next week.
Councillor Rob Davidson, chairman of the economy and resources committee, said: “This is an excellent proposal, and one that proved very popular in our initial trial last year.
“Tourism is one of our most important economic sectors in our beautiful rural region. The target would be 15 new aires with an average of four bays each, creating nearly 22,000 spaces over a year.
“Based on VisitScotland touring figures, we would expect an occupancy rate of 41 percent, giving an income to the aires owners of around £90,000.
“The average tourist to Scotland spends £28 per day in the local economy, making a potential extra income into the region of over £500,000.”
Councillor Archie Dryburgh, vice chairman of the committee, said: “Providing committee agree to the funding, this is a great opportunity for our local small businesses or land owners to make some extra income, and we will help to make this vision a reality, as much as we can.
“The grant would pay for signage, site markings, site improvements, web design, black and grey water disposal, and lighting, although any lighting or power options would have to be sustainable as part of our commitment to net zero.”
In a pilot scheme last year, Kirkcudbright swimming pool was granted £1,000 to put in three motorhome spaces, electrical points, and black and grey waste disposal.
The site launched in September and it had 121 overnight stays at £10 a night, plus 31 waste disposals at £4, giving an income of £1,334 and a potential income of £5-6k per annum.
Pool management said: “The site runs itself with little need to do anything, the extra income will offset the massive rise in our energy costs and help us to maintain our community swimming pool. We would highly recommend this type of installation to others”.
Grant approval would be dependent on the organisation gaining certified status from organisations such as Motorhome Fun, so no planning permission is required.
Certified sites can park up to five motorhomes and the grant would be paid retrospectively.
