This guidance is about temporary pop-up campsites and is for:
- landowners who may wish to take advantage of permitted development rights and run temporary campsites
- residents concerned about potential sites
You can find the regulations in The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.)(England) (Amendment) Order 2023
Advice for residents
Permitted development rights (PD rights) allow certain uses to take place without the need planning permission to be granted by the Council.
The PD right for temporary use of land as a recreational campsite means that, subject to compliance with the regulations set out above, this use can take place without the operator applying to the Council for planning permission.
In such circumstances, the Council is unable to notify local residents and other interested parties (including town and parish councils).
Although the Council encourages discussion at an early stage between landowners and neighbours, it does mean that temporary campsites may take place on land near your property without you having been notified.
Advice for landowners
The PD right allows land to be used for up to 60 days in any calendar year as a recreational campsite (tents and campervans/motorhomes only), unless the land in question is:
- on the site of a scheduled monument
- in a safety hazard area
- in a military explosives storage area
- within a site of special scientific interest
- on the site of a listed building.
The PD right does not permit any permanent works or operations.
In order to comply with the regulations, the site must comply with the following:
- No more than 50 pitches are permitted;
- The developer must make on-site provision for users of the campsite for toilet and waste disposal facilities; and
- The developer must notify the Council in writing before the use starts in each calendar year, providing the dates on which the site will be in use and a site plan which includes details of toilet and waste disposal facilities
Each day the facilities are on the site will count towards the 60 day limit even if the site is unoccupied.
If your site is within flood zones 2 or 3, you will need to submit an application for prior approval each calendar year and receive confirmation of approval before starting the use. This process can take up to 56 days. You can find out if your site lies within a flood zone on: FHDC mapping.
Permitted development rights come from a general planning permission granted by Government rather than local councils. These rights mean that certain types of work can be carried out without needing to apply for formal planning permission. However, should you wish to receive formal confirmation as to the lawful nature of the development, you may apply to the LPA for a Lawful Development Certificate (proposed). For more information view Is Planning permission required?
If you intend to operate for more than the 60 day limit, or without complying with any other restriction set out above, then it is likely that full planning permission will be required. In such circumstances, you may wish to consider using our pre application advice service prior to the submission of an application for planning permission. View the details of the planning application process.
The operation of a temporary campsite without the necessary notification or prior approval, and the operation of any campsite which does not comply with the regulations as set out above (including the 60 day limit) may amount to a breach of planning control, which could be the subject of enforcement action by the Council.
Operators should ensure that their site follows all relevant laws, and there may be other legislative requirements you will need to comply with, including but not limited to licensing and health and safety.
View details in relation to licensing matters.
Apply for a 60 day compasite notification.