New parking restrictions proposed by Hampshire County Council for Saltgrass Lane and New Lane in Keyhaven and Marine Drive in Barton to deter mobile homes and camper vans

NEW parking restrictions and charges are planned for two coastal spots where mobile home and campervan owners are claimed to spend weeks at a time.

Daytime parking charges are proposed along Saltgrass Lane and New Lane in Keyhaven, as well as Marine Drive East and Marine Drive West in Barton, under plans by Hampshire County Council.

Parking at both sites Is currently unrestricted, attracting regular complaints from residents during the summer months when mobile homes and campervans can be seen lining the roads, with up to 60 reported at one stage in Keyhaven.

On-street parking would be chargeable between 10am and 6pm, with a ban on overnight parking by campervans and mobile homes enforced between 8pm and 8am.

A number of spaces close to the Barton Court Avenue junction and outside seafront shops would remain free for a maximum one hour stay between 9am and 7pm.

The county council says it is set to launch public consultations on both schemes “in the coming weeks.”

County councillor for Milford and Keyhaven, Cllr Fran Carpenter, confirmed she had been approached by the HCC transport team in December to gauge her views ahead of the consultation.

She told the A&T: “They contacted me just to check I was happy with the consultation going ahead – to which I confirmed I was. I am contacted frequently about campervan parking at a Keyhaven, with a range of opinions expressed.

“The proposals aim to address resident concerns about finding daytime parking spaces at Keyhaven and also the summer overnight parking of campervans. Watch this space.”

The beauty spot is hailed for its tranquil location on a number of camping and caravanning websites, with one describing the area as a “great place with plenty of space for numerous vehicles”.

However, critics have claimed that an influx of mobile homes restricts parking for daytime visitors, with campers also blamed for leaving litter and polluting the adjacent coastal lagoon known as Mount Lake.

In 2020 Milford parish councillors reported they were receiving a barrage of daily complaints about wild campers living for “weeks at a time” in vans parked at the coastal site.

The situation was partially blamed on the controversial closure of New Forest campsites during the first few months of the pandemic.

In 2021 New Forest District Council took action to prevent wild camping at another area in Keyhaven with the introduction of parking charges for 25-35 spaces alongside a no-through road which crosses the Avon Water, near the yacht club.

Cllr Carpenter revealed that the latest HCC proposal could also involve extending double yellow lines to prevent parking in narrow sections of New Lane.

She said: “I know this has been talked about for a couple of years now, but I think the consultation will now begin fairly soon.

“The pay-and-display element of the plan will also generate revenue for the council if it is agreed.”

Residents in Marine Drive East and Marine Drive West have also regularly complained to Hampshire County Council about significant numbers of mobile homes and campervans parking overnight. But without parking restrictions in place, HCC has maintained its enforcement powers are limited.

But, despite welcoming new restrictions on overnight parking, Marine Drive resident Ray Daniel has branded the daytime charging plans “wholly inappropriate”.

The resident said: “If there is one sure way to make enemies of local constituents, this must surely be it.

“The problem is not local residents parking in order to use the clifftop as the amenity facility it is intended to be. Neither is it tourists coming down to visit the beach.

“The problem is and always has been owners of campervans, converted panel vans and other vehicles parked up and camping overnight or in many instances for days or weeks.”

County councillor for Barton, Mel Kendal, also confirmed he had been approached for his feedback ahead of the public consultation.

He said: “I am totally against parking meters on Barton seafront. All that is needed is a simple restriction on overnight parking to deter campers.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson told the A&T: “We are developing proposals with the aim of introducing pay-and-display seafront parking in both Barton and Keyhaven.

“These measures, if approved, will help to manage parking demand in these popular areas, whilst also tackling the issue of overnight parking which has been a cause of long-standing concern for residents.”

They added: “The revenue generated would cover the cost of implementing the schemes, and also operating them.

“We expect to advertise the proposals in the coming weeks... and this will provide an opportunity for people to make their views known.

“The proposed hourly parking charges are likely to be set at levels that match the tariffs that are already in place at nearby car parks under the management of the district council.”