Motorhomes may face ban on Newcastle overnight parking

Motorhomes may face ban on Newcastle overnight parking

14 May 2025

A DECISION to enforce legislation banning motorhomes from parking overnight in a busy town centre car park in Newcastle is expected shortly.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council recently completed a major upgrade of the Castle Park car park adding a number of additional spaces to take the total number to 88 which are being fully utilised.

Under council legislation, motorhomes are not permitted to stay in local authority car parks for more than 12 hours and overnight parking between midnight and 6am is prohibited.

Last September, a temporary blanket ban on such vehicles parking there was introduced during the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament at Royal County Down.

Motorhomes are already banned from parking at the Downs Road and Glen River car parks in the resort where overhead barriers have been erected at the entrance.

And while a barrier is in place at Castle Park and signs explaining motorhomes are not permitted to park overnight are located at the entrance, drivers are regularly flouting the law.

A local authority spokesman has confirmed that the organisation is currently “exploring various options” regarding the issue of overnight parking for motorhomes and expects to provide a solution in the near future.”

Last year, a major strategy aimed at reducing the number of motorhomes eating up parking spaces in the heart of Newcastle was drawn up by the local authority amid claims that vehicle owners parking overnight in the resort has led to tension with residents.

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

But concern remains about some motorhome owners who park in the resort overnight with a number opting to stop at Castle Park which has become increasingly busy.

It has been argued locally that motorhome owners who park overnight do not make a significant contribution to the resort’s economy and can often take up valuable parking spaces which day trippers could use.

But 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. 

In addition, they have argued that there is not enough dedicated parking spaces for them in Newcastle. 

Some local councillors say as a result of increasing numbers of motorhome owners opting to use car parks and other locations for overnight stays in Newcastle, tension has been growing between residents and the motorhome owners.

It has also been suggested that overnight camping has become “unsustainable” and is placing operational and environmental pressure on visitor attractions that are designed for daytime use only.

With Newcastle extremely popular with motorhome owners, the local authority moved to devise a strategy that protects residents and their areas, economically benefits towns and villages and ensures safety standards for visitors are at high standard.

Councillors say a key component of the new strategy must include providing managed sites across the district which will reduce the 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 to enjoy an authentic visit to the district.