Motor home misery to be tackled

County councillors are investigating ways to solve the growing issue, which has seen up to 30 of the vehicles parked on the highway at a time.

East Preston and Ferring councillor Peter Evans told Worthing County Local Committee last Wednesday that some were living in their vehicles, while others were fencing off parts of the Greensward for their own use.

He said: “The major problem is it’s unsightly and prevents access to other residents who want to drive down and access the beach.

“We have had the problem that some of the camper vans have parked up and are erecting fences to prevent people walking through their back gardens, setting up nice little coffee tables and chairs and it’s becoming unsightly and putting people off.”

Mr Evans believes the Greensward was being openly advertised online as a place for free camping.

He urged the CLC, made up of Worthing county councillors, to join him and his Arun colleagues in coming up with an ‘innovative’ solution to solve the problem.

The solution could take the form of a new byelaw or traffic regulation order (TRO), restricting overnight parking.

But Mr Evans’s views were opposed by a group of motor home owners, who felt they were being ‘demonised’.

One resident, who stormed out shortly after commenting, said: “We are not harming or hurting anybody and it’s people who park in cars who leave their rubbish. We use all the facilities round here, pay council tax and are just being demonised.

“This is a free country. It’s my country, it’s our country that belongs to every British person. Where’s my rights?”

Ilex Conservation Group chairman Kathryn Walker said she had counted 27 motor homes last Saturday.

She said: “Everybody is entitled to enjoy the Greensward, but they should be aware it is a village green. There are regulations which apply and fencing off part of it is not one of them.

“I was told it was going to be difficult to address but it needs to be resolved.”

More than 60 residents have contacted Goring councillor Steve Waight about the issue, a number he said was unusual without directly canvassing for opinions.

“The Greensward is there for the enjoyment of everyone but if people park there for longs periods of time overnight, then if that’s allowed to continue then it simply prevents people enjoying it,” he said.

“I have to question whether that’s fair and legal and I’m not convinced it is.

“I think we need to look at some sort of overnight restriction for everyone. What I’m not prepared to accept is continued abuse of this area.”

Mr Waight added it was unlikely a TRO could be imposed as the committee had not been given the right to allocate new ones at the current time.

East Worthing councillor Roger Oakley said he would take the issue forward.

He said: “Nobody has a lawful right to park their car on the road unless they have something like a controlled parking zone permit. As soon as you leave your vehicle on a road you can be served with summons.

“I have already made arrangements to speak to officers. We will address it.”

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