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09
May
Wild camping could lead to £1,000 fine in response to ‘littering and crime’ on coast
Wild camping, fires and barbecues will be restricted at nine locations on the North Yorkshire coast in response to concerns from local residents.
A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will be introduced across nine locations in Scarborough and Whitby, which have been identified as sites of significant and persistent littering, anti-social behaviour, crime and damage to the environment.
The new powers will enable North Yorkshire Council to move people on, issue fixed penalty notices of up to £100, as well as fines of up to £1,000.
At a meeting last Friday (May 1) council bosses approved the introduction of the PSPO at Royal Albert Park, Castle Dyke, South Cliff and Italian Gardens, Scalby Beck, Marvels, Peasholm Park, and Museum Terrace and Gardens in Scarborough, and the open space surrounding Whitby Abbey and Pannett Park in Whitby.
Between May and October 2024, unauthorised wild camping in these locations cost more than £30,000 to clear up and repair or replace the damage caused, according to North Yorkshire Council.
The authority added that the figure did not include any associated costs of North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which had both been called out.
Executive member for community safety, Cllr Heather Phillips, said:
In recent years, the impact of wild camping has been detrimental on the environment in popular locations across Whitby and Scarborough.
There has been an influx of littering and antisocial behaviour, including damage to seats and benches, burning of the ground and vegetation, and defecating and urinating.
I would like to thank everybody for sharing their views in the consultation, which helped inform our decision.
The PSPO will give the council the power to move people on from these locations, issue a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 or in some circumstances, lead to a court conviction and maximum fine of £1,000.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for managing the environment, Cllr Richard Foster, added:
The PSPO will help to control and, hopefully, stop illegal wild camping to ensure everyone can continue to enjoy our picturesque coastal towns.
To clean up after irresponsible campers brings a significant cost to the taxpayer and affects the quality of live for everybody who lives, visits and works there.
It’s clear from the consultation that the majority of people acknowledge the issue and will welcome quick and firm measures.
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