Motorhomes set to be permanently banned from Newcastle’s Castle Park

17 September 2025

MOTORHOMES look set to be permanently banned from a town centre car park in Newcastle.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is proposing to erect automated barriers to control access to Castle Park which earlier this year was redeveloped to increase the number of parking spaces to 88.

There has been concern about the local authority’s failure to enforce legislation that bans overnight parking at the facility and to limit the number of motorhomes that can park there for no more than 12 hours.

Currently, motorhomes are banned from parking at the Downs Road, Glen River and Islands Park car parks in the resort and are also not allowed to use an extension added to the town’s largest parking area in Donard Park.

In September last year, a temporary blanket ban on motorhomes parking in Castle Park was introduced during the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament.

While the ban was subsequently lifted, it could now be made permanent when local politicians meet next month to discuss a recommendation from Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s powerful Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee.

Politicians say while an overhead barrier is in place at the entrance to Castle Park, in tandem with signs explaining motorhomes are not permitted to park overnight, owners are regularly flouting the law.

Last year the council confirmed it was “exploring various options” regarding the issue of overnight parking for motorhomes and “expects to provide a solution in the near future.”

Council officials have also put together a major strategy aimed at reducing the number of motorhomes eating up parking spaces in the middle of Newcastle in the midst of claims that vehicle owners were parking overnight in the resort which had led to tension with residents.

Council officials and politicians said they recognise they need to provide some form of dedicated parking for motorhome owners in the resort.

But concern remains about the

overnight parking with a number of motorhome owners opting to stop at Castle Park, sparking claims that they do not make a significant contribution to the resort’s economy and can often take up valuable parking spaces which day locals and day trippers could use.

The assertion has been denied by motorhome owners who have previously made it clear that they are unhappy about being “victimised” and vehemently rejected accusations that they do not spend money in the resort.

Mournes councillor Laura Devlin has welcomed the council committee’s recommendation to install permanent, automated height restriction barriers at Castle Park.

She said residents and visitors have repeatedly raised frustrations about large vehicles occupying multiple parking bays, overstaying permitted hours and creating pressures on vital parking spaces.

“Castle Park has recently benefited from investment and improvements, but people are rightly asking why the council has not acted more quickly to deal with the issues caused by motorhomes parking there?,” she said.

“I know it to be complex but it needs dealt with.”

Cllr Devlin said while the local authority was committed to bringing forward a motorhome strategy, its progress had been “painfully slow”.

She continued: “In the meantime, local people and businesses are left to deal with the consequences of inaction. That is simply not good enough for a town like Newcastle which relies so heavily on tourism and day-trippers.”

Cllr Devlin welcomed the decision by the Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee to approve the spend on permanent automated barriers to be installed in Castle Park and said the

height restriction barriers will provide a practical step forward while the council finalises its longer-term approach.

“Other car parks in the town can accommodate coaches and larger vehicles, but Castle Park is not designed for that purpose. Installing barriers here is a common-sense move that will ease pressure, improve safety and ensure fairness for all users,” she said.

Councillors say a key component of the new parking strategy must include providing managed parking sites across the district which will reduce pressure on so-called “honey pot sites” like Castle Park.

They are confident that developing a new motorhome strategy can offer the opportunity for their owners to get off the beaten track and enjoy an authentic visit to the district.

Local politicians say it’s important Newcastle and the wider region remains a welcoming place for motorhome owners and parking spaces in Newcastle, which are at a premium, are managed properly.

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