Changes to the GDPO devised by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities due to come into force 26 July 2024, look to support rural diversification through the tourism sector and particularly camping.
The introduction of Part 4. Class BC – temporary recreation campsites will allow for the use of land as a recreational campsite for up to 60 days annually, providing the campsite does not exceed 50 pitches. As was the case before, this does not allow for the introduction of permanent works and operations such as the erection of facilities blocks or the laying of concrete bases under permitted development – these will continue to require planning permission.
A prior approval procedure may be required, with the contents of the information required being dependant on the site’s characteristics. This procedure would have to be completed each year to renew the consent for the temporary use.
There are further limitations involved with the availability of this new form of permitted development again dependant on the site characteristics.
Our View
After much deliberation, post-Covid pandemic based around increasing the time period for temporary use of land, it is encouraging to see that a significant increase from the original 28 days annually to 60 days has been agreed for temporary campsites. This will provide an excellent opportunity for landowners to operate a temporary campsite for all of the summer holidays, a lucrative time within the tourism sector.
This perhaps provides further encouraging evidence that the government have recognised the increased economic pressures of farming in the 21st century and the requirement to diversify to make farming viable.
- Planning applications
- Planning Appeals
- Listed building consents
- Discharge of Planning Conditions
