Amenities for campervans could be provided at Oban’s public beach after the area and the coastal road leading to it became inundated with them.
The costs of providing basic services to allow campervans to park safely overnight at Ganavan will be considered on Wednesday.
A new law banning such vehicles from parking overnight along Ganavan Road from the Lancaster Hotel to the entrance of Ganavan Sands car park is also being considered.
A special meeting of Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee has been called to deal with the issue after councillors asked officers to come up with future uses of Ganavan Sands car park.
Daytime parking charges were controversially introduced at Ganavan in 2017, to public outrage.
Currently caravans and motorhomes are permitted to park there, but may not camp overnight. This rule has been flouted in recent months as people opt to holiday at home during the Corona-19 outbreak.
A motion passed at the previous area committee stated: “In recent months, as a direct consequence of the Coronavirus pandemic and the UK and Scottish Government recommendation for stay-cation, there has been a marked increase in the number of campervans visiting the area and seeking to park overnight.
“As the current Ganavan car park restrictions prohibit this; campervan visitors are being displaced along the Ganavan Road in even greater numbers than previously; which has led to issues of public health and road safety, causing considerable
distress to residents.
“The provision of a warm welcome and fit for purpose, managed and chargeable facilities for campervans at Ganavan, in partnership with the introduction of overnight parking restrictions on the Ganavan Road would serve to enhance the area in terms of amenity and safety whilst also providing economic benefit.”
The total cost of providing motorhome bays and services at Ganavan is estimated at £43,500. This would include a flushing unit and septic tank; grey waste unit with lid and soakaway; clean water pipe; lighting; fire points and parking meter.
Costs include pipework, cables, tracking, connections and commissioning.
Councillors will be informed that there is no budget for the plans, nor has other funding been identified. Funding would be a policy matter for councillors.
One option is to borrow the money for the plan and pay it back by charging for the services.
