Boost for NC500 with motorhome parking proposal at Sarclet
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A planning proposal has gone to Highland Council for a motorhome parking area at Sarclet village that could be a great asset for North Coast 500 travellers.
The proposal was put forward by Pauline and Laura Robinson for an area to be utilised next to their property at number 18, The Croft, in Sarclet – a small coastal village just a few miles from Wick.
In the proposal, Pauline Robinson gave some background details in support of the council application saying that the "idyllic" site is two miles from the NC500 route and a "peaceful spot for wildlife including seals and deer, bird watching, dog walking and is frequented by locals regularly".
She states: "We moved to The Croft last November and quickly took ownership of our seven alpacas. Our intention was to set up an alpaca trekking business for both locals and visitors to the area.
"We decided we would also like to set up a Certified Location (CL) site with the Caravan and Motorhome Club, (CAMC) having worked with the Camping and Caravan Club for four years prior."
A CL is a small, members only site, with no more than five pitches for self-contained caravans and motorhomes, (no tents), which can offer electric hook up, fresh water, grey water disposal and chemical toilet disposal. The plan is to offer five pitches with enough room to park a vehicle, along with additional off-street parking, facilities for disposal of rubbish, recycling, grey water and toilet emptying.
"Having followed numerous media pages for the NC500 route, we can already see the huge influx of people who are wanting to complete the NC500 this year due the ongoing travel issues from Covid 19. The
media pages also mention that a large number of sites are already fully booked," added Ms Robinson.
The facilities will be within a "utility area" - a 10m x 7m piece of land laid down with stone chippings and edged with timber. It will be screened by way of fencing and planting. Chemical waste will go into a purpose-built, above ground, plastic effluent tank
Neighbours at a property called Tryggo said in the council document that in a normal season the lay-by close to the property, overlooking a scenic bay called The Haven, had "previously been used by numerous motorhomes overnight, where rubbish and mess had been left behind".
Other neighbours were informed of the proposal and all parties were given a leaflet provided by CAMC of details where they could ask for further information, air their concerns and/or make any objections.
"Approximately six weeks later, we were informed by CAMC there were no objections," added the applicant.
"We are aware that visitors to the NC500 suffer with a lack of facilities for toilet disposal, rubbish and recycling, which is having a detrimental effect on the environment. We hope we can offer a small facility for visitors to the vicinity and feel it is of even more importance this year, as so many more visitors are being encouraged for a staycation."
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