Damage to the site and 'disproportionate' investment to blame
It’s been announced overnight camping has permanently been withdrawn at Ayres National Nature Reserve.
The reserve was established in 1996 and is owned by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and Manx National Heritage.
The decision is being put down to the grassland suffering increasing damage as a result of motorhomes and campervans using the area in recent years.
Furthermore, various incidents involving campfires, anti-social behaviour and vehicles being driven at high-speed have triggered police attendance.
As a result, DEFA has made the blanket decision to focus on the area’s ‘natural assets’ and on the ‘quiet enjoyment’ by the wider community.
Minister Clare Barber says “the decision is regrettable, and various options were explored about how motorhomes and camper vans may continue to be accommodated overnight.
“However, the investment required was disproportionate to the number of users recorded in the past year.”
Anyone who was planning to make use of the site next year is being asked to consider alternatives.
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