CALLS for a public/private partnership to develop campervan facilities in the county capital have been made by Ennis’ deputy mayor. Councillor Paul Murphy believes that Ennis has the potential to become a “very effective destination” for campervan holiday makers looking to stay in an urban setting.
At the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District the councillor urged, “That Ennis Municipal District conveys a message that Ennis welcomes campervan users/owners this summer, provided that they can be self-sufficient in terms of sanitation”. He added that consideration should be given to using one of the council carparks at Drumbiggle or Áras an Contae “to facilitate this endeavour and valuable business opportunity.”
Carmel Greene, Senior Executive Officer, responded, “The use of council car parks, either at Drumbiggle or New Road as campervan parks would require fully manned facilities specifically for this purpose. At present, the car parks are full on the five-day working week serving staff, councillors and customers. With greater numbers likely to be returning to offices in the coming months, the use is likely to increase. Saturdays are often used for regular maintenance works that can only be done when the offices are vacant.
“While Saturdays and Sundays could be looked at in terms of feasibility, recruitment of staff, cleaning costs of facilities including toilets, security, 24-hour cover etc, it is considered that there may be other options. It should be noted that there are no showers in either facility and this is a key requirement for caravan parks.”
Councillor Murphy pointed to the success of Cork County Council’s Cobh’s Five Foot Way car park, saying the camper van holiday market is something Ennis “should go after”.
“I appreciate there are challenges to using carparks, but the call should be put out there for a public/private partnership to try and take this on.”
He said that the town is losing out on business, and with Ennis’ reputation for music and entertainment it could be “a very effective destination”.
The motion was supported by Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Ann Norton who commented on the increasing number of people using camper vans. “We are trying to encourage staycationers to the county, and this would be a great opportunity if there was a facility where people could park up and be able to go into town. There are a huge amount of people who can’t even rent a campervan at the moment, there is just no availability for the summer and hopefully we will see a lot more of them around Clare.”
The need to identify sites and work with landowners to explore options was emphasised by Councillor Mary Howard. “People want to go on camping holidays and Ennis and Clare is very much on their map, but they don’t want to go wild camping.” She proposed that once it is safe to do so, that the council visit Cobh to see what has been achieved there. She said in Cork they have taken a town car park for camper van parking and it is regularly full. “It is run extremely well and is spotlessly clean and all the local businesses get a bounce from it.”
Councillor Johnny Flynn spoke about the potential Ballyalla can have in attracting campervan holiday makers who are looking for a beach location. He suggested motorhome facilities could be installed as there is a public sewer in the locality. He said that many people do not want to do wild camping as there are risks involved such as the potential for burglary, and so they would welcome a well run site.
Councillor Pat Daly stated that Ennis needs to be able to compete with the likes of Killarney and Westport when it comes to attracting tourists.
Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy stated she is in favour of campervan parking facilities, however she was not satisfied with the idea of losing car parking spaces. She asked why the local authority should fund this endeavour?
Director of Services Carmel Kirby told the meeting that the issues raised would be forwarded to the council’s tourism department “to tease out”, adding it may be something that would have to be looked at county-wide. With regards to Ballyalla Lake, she pointed out that a feasibility study has been carried out for the location and the council are going into the master plan aspect. “We need to be careful we don’t delay what has been agreed as strategic priorities for Ballyalla Lake.”
She agreed that there is a gap in the market that isn’t being provided for whether from a public or private perspective.
Councillor Howard stated in Cobh they have found no need for 24-hours security, however senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea replied that the security arrangements at Cobh are “that the garda station is directly across” from the site.
“It is a very good location and not every place can get that, however it will be looked at. But it does need to be looked at carefully.” He suggested sports clubs may have a role to play in providing the parking.
Councillor Murphy acknowledged the comments made by Councillor Flynn about Ballyalla’s potential, however he said his proposal was aimed at attracting adults looking to stay in an urban location to socialise and have a drink and meal rather than family lake-side vacationers. He said the majority of camper vans are self sufficient, with no need for large shower blocks.