29-07-2025
'Free' seafront campsite with North Wales beach views leaves people incensed
Residents have been infuriated by the provision of a toilet for occupiers of an unauthorised campsite on Rhyl beachfront. Just yards away is a public toilet block that's closed until further notice.
Some people worry the campsite will entice others to take advantage of the free facility during the summer holidays. Denbighshire Council said it was obliged to provide services in line with government guidance on Gypsy, Roma & Traveller encampments.
Several tents, two caravans and a couple of cars have been spotted on a grassy area off Rhyl Promenade, by the town's Eisteddfod Standing Stones. It's understood they arrived late last week.
The same area attracted similar encampments last summer, and another was moved on from the promenade last month. Nearby are the Old Golf Road Public Toilets, where signs warn camping is banned.
'The irony is not lost on me,' said one woman online. 'Toilets closed for everyone but temporary ones can be provided for a pop-up campsite.'
The public toilets are currently shut for repairs. Along with others in the resort, the block has been earmarked for an 'upgrade' so that the previously free facility can be run unstaffed, with cashless payments.
Rhyl Town Council is being asked to hike its council tax levy to pay for running costs, estimated at £12,211-a-year.
Bins have also been provided for the campers. A regular visitor said it was 'not nice' for locals who must pay for similar services through their council taxes.
On social media, some people complained about the situation. 'They never put a portaloo out for visitors,' noted one woman.
Others worry the encampment will become a free-for-all. Tongue-in-cheek, a Prestatyn woman said: 'Think I will take my tent and dog there next week – saves money going to a campsite and (there's) a beach on your doorstep.'
There was also plenty of support both for the campers and for the local authority. People living nearby said they'd had 'no issues at all' with the site's occupiers.
One resident said the council had no option other than to provide basic services. A few people believe the 'live and let live' mantra should apply, others suggested the campsite was a more productive use of land that was otherwise little used.
'Fantastic to see people enjoying what otherwise a waste of space,' said one man. 'I hope the council are clever enough to charge £10 a night – just saying.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Denbighshire Council confirmed it had visited the site. A spokesperson said: 'The council visited the occupiers of the site to perform a welfare check-in, which is in line with government legislation and guidance on unauthorised Gypsy, Roma & Traveller encampments.'
