Exmouth vanlifer suggests paying council to stay

A 'vanlifer' living in a motorhome at Exmouth's estuary lorry park has suggested paying the council a yearly fee of £300 to £400 to stay put.

It comes after East Devon District Council decided to move the vanlifers on from 1 July.

Gary Lewis, 58, who has been living on the site for free for around a year, said: "We have to be sensible about this in respect of it is council land.

"They're proposing to turn it back to a coach and lorry park. We have a coach and lorry park beyond us, and it's underused. 

"We're willing to pay money to be here. We are talking £300 to £400 a year.

"If they serve notice on us, and we go away, what are we going do? Just go somewhere else in East Devon.

Camper vans and motorhomes at Exmouth lorry park (Nub News/ Will Goddard)

"We are local people. We work and live in Exmouth. 

"We are currently 11 vehicles. We live very independently: we don't need any facilities, we are clean, we're tidy. 

"My reason for living in a motorhome was because I was homeless.

"We have a situation that is going on now with housing for young people, the cost of living. Is it any wonder why people look for alternatives?

"I can't afford to live in a house and I don't want to live in a house. [My motorhome] is my pride and joy. It's my home."

Council decision 'not a financial one'

In response, an East Devon District Council spokesperson said: "The decision to move the vanlifers on at the end of June was not a financial one, yet one made in consideration of the council's planning and equality responsibilities. 

"There is no legal provision to allow permanent residential occupation of our car parks, so although the option of a long term permit was initially considered, it was not determined to be a viable solution, all the reasons were outlined in the report presented to the cabinet meeting on 1 March where a number of vanlifers were also present and had representatives speak as well."

SEE ALSO: Council to turf out Exmouth 'vanlifers'