On 5th July 2023, the English parliament updated the temporary development rights to create new allowances for campsites in England (the new Class BC amendment). These include extending the duration permitted for camping to up to 60 days per calendar year.
To open a campsite in the UK for more than 60 days, you need planning permission and a campsite licence. However, if you want to run a campsite for 60 days or less in any one year, you can take advantage of your permitted development rights.
These rights allow you to run a short-term, or pop-up campsites and are an amendment of an existing, 28-day rule.
Parliaments update of temporary development rights increased the number of days a pop-up campsite can operate from 28 days to 60 days.
Currently the amendment only applies to England. The 28-day rule still applies across other parts of the UK, apart from very specific areas that have been given added protection.
Within the 60-day rule, is the ability to pick the dates that work for you to run a site. For instance, if the midweek is quiet during the school term times, you can open for the weekend and close during the week.
Each day your campsite equipment is on the campsite counts as a day towards your 60-day total and you’ll need to send your intended dates to your local authority.
Consider this when deciding the specific dates you will open the site. If you clear the site, the clock stops ticking on your 60-days!