Motorhomes and campervans to be banned from parking in major city amid serious fire concerns

Motorhome and campervan owners are set to be banned from parking overnight in a major city after numerous safety complaints were raised about potential fire risks.

The ban, launched by the City of Lincoln Council, will take effect from November 25 and will see overnight sleeping in vehicles no longer permitted.

The decision follows an assessment that identified unmanageable fire risks. The Lawn Car Park, in particular, has seen a significant increase in motorhome usage in recent months.

Enforcement action will be taken against anyone found sleeping overnight in their vehicle after the ban comes into force. The council emphasised that this measure aims to ensure the safety of all car park users.

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The ban comes in response to several concerns raised by local authorities and residents. The Lawn Car Park lacks essential facilities for overnight stays, including waste disposal and adequate space.

Fire risks associated with overnight vehicle stays cannot be effectively managed, making it unsafe to allow this practice.

Local councillors initially raised the issue following complaints from residents about the misuse of waste bins and planting areas by overnight campervan users. The council’s health and safety officer also advised against allowing overnight stays.

Since May 2024, staff have recorded 914 instances of campervans parking at The Lawn, averaging 11 campervans per day. The size of these vehicles has caused concern among other car park users, who have expressed reluctance to park between campervans.

This has led to a reduction in usable parking space, affecting overall capacity. The industry standard for fire safety requires a six-metre separation between vehicles, which is not feasible in a public car park. To address this, new signage will be installed to clearly prohibit overnight stays.

Campervans can still park in the council’s car parks during the day but must not use these spaces for sleeping. This measure is expected to reduce the misuse of bins and surrounding green areas.

For those seeking alternative overnight accommodation, two options are available: Hartsholme Country Park, operated by the City of Lincoln Council, and Decoy Farm Lincoln, run by The Camping and Caravanning Club.

Both sites are located in the south of the city and offer bus links to the city centre. However, visitors should note that pre-booking is required for Hartsholme and cannot be done on the day.

Councillor Joshua Wells, portfolio holder for inclusive economic growth at the City of Lincoln Council, said: “The safety of our residents and visitors is our top priority, which is why we’ve made the difficult decision to prohibit overnight sleeping in vehicles across our car parks.

“The growing number of campervans at The Lawn raised legitimate concerns around safety, parking capacity, and the misuse of facilities.

“We do not wish to deter motorhome users from visiting our beautiful city – Lincoln is not alone in facing this issue – but it is important they use the appropriate facilities located within the city when staying overnight.”

The council emphasised that these changes are vital to managing safety risks and preserving parking capacity for everyone. They remain committed to ensuring Lincoln’s status as the key urban centre for Lincolnshire.

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In response to the upcoming ban, drivers have taken to social media to share their fury. One person stated: “Way to go City of Lincoln Council, this is a backwards move from a backwards council. The revenue from overnight campers helps your city.

“I camp overnight in my van all over the country, many councils allow this, and most don’t even charge. If I ever need to park in Lincoln now, I’ll just find a spot on a side road.”