Plans to restrict wild camping, fires and barbecues in nine locations across Scarborough and Whitby to help to address concerns in local communities are set to be considered by councillors. Earlier this year, North Yorkshire Council carried out a consultation ahead of adopting a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in response to an increase in unauthorised camping in parks and green spaces along the coast, which has become a significant concern to the local community.
Nine specific locations have been identified where there has been persistent littering, anti-social behaviour, crime and damage to the environment. These include Royal Albert Park, Castle Dyke, South Cliff and Italian Gardens, Scalby Beck, Marvels, Peasholm Park, and Museum Terrace and Gardens in Scarborough, as well as the open space surrounding Whitby Abbey and Pannett Park in Whitby. A total of 402 responses were received as part of the consultation, with the majority of respondents expressing high levels of concern regarding unauthorised camping and the resulting impact on hygiene and human waste.
Between May and October 2024, unauthorised wild camping in these locations cost more than £30,000 to clear up and repair, a figure that excludes the costs associated with call-outs for North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. If adopted, the PSPO would give the council the power to move people on, issue a fixed penalty notice of up to £100, or lead to a court conviction and a maximum fine of £1,000.
North Yorkshire Council’s 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 will help to shape our decision.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for managing our environment, Cllr Richard Foster, added: “We are proposing a PSPO to 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.”
The plans will be discussed at a council meeting this Friday 1st May.
