During 2020, the 28 day permitted development rule allowing camping to take place on land without planning permission was extended to 56 days to the end of December 2020. However few people realise it was then extended again to the end of 2021. This could make a huge difference on parks with additional land to capitalise on demand for staycation breaks for the Summer 2021.
What is Permitted Development?
You can perform certain types of work without needing to apply for planning permission. These are called “permitted development rights”.
They derive from a general planning permission granted not by the local authority but by Parliament. See more here:
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, Schedule 2.
How Does it Work?
England
Permitted development allows the landowner to use their land as a campsite or caravan site during a specified period. This is strictly applicable to England where 28-day campsites can now open for 56 days in a calendar year under permitted development rights. This was extended to the end of 2021, as announced in the government press release:
Government Extension of 28 Day Rule
Wales & Scotland
In Wales and Scotland the respective government advice to Local Authorities is to be more flexible with land owners, so some consultation may be required. In Wales, the advice to local authorities is that they should “take a flexible approach to applicants looking to… extend an existing 28-day permit to a longer period”.
In Scotland the government have advised: “In line with the wider approach to relaxing planning control at this time, and for the avoidance of doubt, we do not expect the limits of the 28 day rule to be enforced against reasonable temporary outdoor uses, which may include temporary structures, should a longer period be appropriate and helpful to businesses.”
Should you want any further clarification or advice, please contact our planning specialists.