Gwynedd Council has secured funding to develop a network of French style 'aires' to allow campervans to stay near town centres.
These small urban stopover sites are common in France and CAMPRA - the Campaign for Real Aires UK - has been pushing for them to be rolled out in the UK.
Now Gwynedd council has received £240,000 in funding from Welsh Government to develop their Aros-fan project which will upgrade assets such as public car parks in six destinations across Gwynedd. It will provide a network of locations that will create legitimate provision for 'overnight' parking and sleeping throughout the year for motorhomes.
Sites will need to be within walking distance of town centres with the idea they help bring money into shops, pubs and restaurants in these communities.
This will also help reduce illegal and inappropriate parking by some campervan owners.
READ MORE: Holidaymakers staying in Wales WON'T have to pay tourism tax for 'years'
It is part of Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics capital fund will be shared among 18 projects that will help deliver small-scale infrastructure improvements in strategically important tourism locations across Wales.
A full list of the projects is at the bottom of the story.
Dafydd Williams, head of Environment for Gwynedd Council, said: “Gwynedd Council has undertaken significant research into motorhomes in the county and has listened to the views of communities, motorhome owners and camp site operators in order to understand illegal or inappropriate overnight stays within the county.
“Through the Brilliant Basics funded project we will pilot a network of up to six ‘Aros-fan’ sites across Gwynedd which will provide appropriate over-night provision for motorhomes and campervans with their own on board facilities.”
Sioned Williams, head of Economy and Community for Gwynedd Council, said: “In order to support the local economy, all six sites will be located within walking distance to key towns and destinations, will have basic services and will operate a strict 48 hour maximum stay.
“Although these facilities will not be operational this summer, we hope that all relevant infrastructure will be in place by Spring 2023. If the pilot proves successful - the Council may consider the development of further Aros-fan facilities in the county in the future."
Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said: “We’re very aware of the important part that local tourism amenities have on someone’s overall experience when on a day trip or on holiday. These facilities often go unnoticed, but they are an important part of people’s experiences when they visit Wales, while also benefit those who live in the area.
“The £2.9m in new funding I’m announcing today will go to projects which will help us make our destinations more accessible and more sustainable, and to grow tourism for the good of Wales.”
Organisation Name |
Project Name and description |
Grant Award |
Brecon Beacons NPA |
Access for all at the National Park Visitor Centre. Facilities will include disabled Changing Places and Toilet, parking spaces and an all-terrain mobility scooter for hire |
117,565.00 |
Powys CC |
Powys Visitor Experience Improvement Project. The Project focuses on three key visitor locations in Powys; Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and Lake Vyrnwy. Each location will make improvements enabling visitors to orientate themselves more effectively upon arrival in the areas, and more easily locate and access key visitor assets. |
210,400.00 |
Conwy CBC |
Colwyn Bay Pier Benches. Seating will be provided on the recently refurbished pier to improve the experience for visitors and provide much needed seating for those with accessibility issues. |
32,000.00 |
Conwy CBC |
Improvements to maps, signage and visitor information at in Conwy and Llandudno |
21,200.00 |
Cyngor Gwynedd |
Aros-fan The 'Aros-fan' project will upgrade assets such as public car parks in 6 destinations across Gwynedd to develop a network of locations that will create legitimate provision for 'overnight' parking and sleeping throughout the year for the purpose of motor homes in Gwynedd. |
240,000.00 |
Cyngor Gwynedd |
Parc Gwledig Padarn, Llanberis. The project will make improvements to the car park at Glyn area and include EV charging points, cycle shelters, outdoor equipment washing area and groundworks. |
250,000.00 |
Denbighshire CC |
Enhance Riverside Park (Llangollen) Improvements will be made to this popular destination and include mini golf, play equipment, green Infrastructure including E-bike charging points, water play infrastructure, bandstand seating, interpretation boards and ramped access between levels of the park. |
200,000.00 |
Flintshire CC |
Parks for All. The Parks for All project will upgrade and improve amenities for both visitors and the local communities at Wepre Country Park and Greenfield Valley, two of Flintshire's most popular heritage green spaces. Facilities will include improved toilet provision, including a Changing Places toilets and accessible play equipment. |
196,000.00 |
Isle of Anglesey CC |
Môn Coastal Gateways. The project will support the delivery of the Môn Coastal Gateways project which includes EV charging points, electric bike chargers, bicycle storage and improvements to infrastructure works including digital Interpretation and recycling facilities. |
248,000.00 |
Snowdonia NPA |
Improvement to Morfa Mawddach, Gwynedd The project will see much needed improvements to this popular site and includes car park improvements, refurbishment of the public toilet facilities, EV and bike charge points |
72,000.00 |
Bridgend CBC |
Sustainable Bridgend County Coast Path Funding will enable the completion of the Porthcawl Cycle Scheme which will link the cycle route from Rest Bay, to Harbourside, and the Town Centre to Trecco Bay. Smart recycle bins will also be located along the route. |
52,000.00 |
Monmouthshire CC |
Tintern Welcome Tintern Welcome will deliver improvements to the visitor experience at key arrival points at Tintern including the Abbey, car parks, the village centre bus stops and at the new arrival point where the Wye Valley Greenway (walking and cycling route) enters the village. |
250,000.00 |
Carmarthenshire CC |
Burry Port east car park development. Improvements will include accessible parking zone with disabled parking bays, additional EV points, E-bike charging facilities, 6 daytime Motorhome parking zones, smart bins, new signage and a sustainable drainage system. |
248,000.00 |
Neath Port Talbot CBC |
Margam Country Park EV Charging and Public Facilities The project includes EV charging infrastructure and the refurbishment of public convenience facilities at the Castle Courtyard. |
250,000.00 |
Pembrokeshire CC |
Public Convenience enhancements to improve inclusivity at Whitesands Beach. Redesign existing public conveniences at Whitesands Beach to include the provision of a Changing Places Toilet and Family Room. A water refill station will also be installed together with enhancements to the interior and exterior appearance of the facility to improve visitor experience. |
158,900.00 |
Pembrokeshire CC |
Tenby Beach Access Enhancements. Access improvements to steps, handrails and access boardwalks at North, Castle & South beaches in Tenby. |
42,000.00 |
Pembrokeshire Coast NPA |
Gwnewch y pethau bychain. Improved access will be seen at selected beaches in Pembrokeshire for wheelchair users that will provide a walkway across the sand, a portable changing structure with hoist and beach wheelchairs. The project will also see boardwalk access at Poppit Sands and the creation of a new viewing platform. In addition an E-bike hire pilot scheme will run in St David’s. |
160,688.00 |
Swansea Council |
Changing Places at Rhossili and Mumbles. Installation of pre-fabricated Changing Places toilet facilities at Rhossili & Mumbles. |
148,576.00 |
