The Government grants planning permission for temporary uses of land which can be undertaken without a planning application – known as permitted development rights. This allows certain temporary uses of land to take place without planning application where the necessary legal requirements are met, including temporary car park and pop-up campsites.
Well located and effectively operated sites can broaden the range of tourist provision available and may alleviate some of the pressures experienced last summer (e.g. fly-camping and parking problems). Badly located or poorly run sites meanwhile can have adverse impacts.
This page answers some of the common questions we’ve been getting about temporary uses from prospective operators and people concerned about sites.
The Government’s planning permission for temporary uses are set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development)(England) Order 2015 as amended by subsequent amendment orders.
The Government does not publish consolidated versions.
Until 24 July 2024 temporary recreational campsites can operate:
From 25 July 2024 temporary recreational campsites can operate
You can only rely on temporary use planning permissions once. For example if you use the Part 4 Class B temporary use planning permission for 28 days of temporary car parking, you could not then have a second use for a further 28 days on the same planning unit.
But, the planning permissions granted by Part 4 Class B and Part 4 Class BC are separate. This means they can be relied on separately. For example you could have a 28 day temporary car park (Part 4 Class B) followed by a 60 day temporary recreational campsite (Part 4 Class BC) subject to meeting the required conditions.
Yes. You must notify us in writing in each calendar year before commencement of a 60 day temporary recreational campsite use under Part 4 Class BC. Your notification must provide a copy of the site plan, and include details of:
You must state the specific dates on which the site will be in use. A range (e.g. 5 days between 1 July and 31 July does not meet legal requirements). If you commence the use without notifying us the use will be unlawful and at risk of enforcement action.
No. The planning permission granted by the Government for temporary uses does not allow permanent works or operations.
The planning permission granted by the Government under Part 4 Class B (28 day temporary uses) does not include any requirement to provide sanitation or other facilities.
The planning permission granted by the Government under Part 4 Class BC (60 day temporary recreational campsites) requires that you must make on-site provision for users of the campsite of toilet and waste disposal facilities. The nature and amount of this provision is not regulated by the planning system.
There are a wide range of glamping units on the market for sale. Their legal position varies. Some may be uses of land, some buildings, others may be caravans. Some may be permissible without application, and others may not, depending upon their specification and circumstances.
A prospective operator can make a lawful development certificate application to obtain a formal decision from the Authority whether a glamping proposal would require full planning permission.
You can have a motor vehicle designed or adapted for human habitation(e.g. a motorhome) on a temporary recreational campsite under Part 4 Class BC but not other caravans, or under Part 4 Class B if the land is being used for a festival. Other caravans (e.g. towed caravans) are subject to different rules and may only be sited if an exception in Schedule 1 of the Caravan Site and Control of Development Act 1960 applies.
28 day temporary uses and 60 day temporary recreational campsites are part of the national planning system and are allowed by the Government.
The planning permission granted by the Government under Part 4 Class B (28 day temporary uses) does not impose any limit on the number of people who can camp on a temporary site.
The planning permission granted by the Government under Part 4 Class BC (60 day temporary recreational campsites) imposes a 50 pitch limit. There is no restriction on the number of people occupying each pitch.
60 day temporary campsites within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are not permitted development and require a full planning application.
Even if land is not with a SSSI, even if it is outside a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA) or Ramsar Site, there may still be the potential for impacts on these sites. If you cannot be certain that there will be no impact on the qualifying features of the SAC/SPA/Ramsar you will need prior approval from us before you commence your temporary use. You will need to apply to us for a determination on whether you can proceed. A fee is payable. We will carry then out a Habitat Regulations Assessment under the Conservation of Habitat and Species Regulations 2017 to determine if there will be any impacts on the European Sites. Habitats Regulations Assessments are made based on the information you provide and in consultation with Natural England. If required, Natural England can offer advice to developers on the potential for significant effects on SAC/SPA/Ramsar site through their chargeable Discretionary Advice Service which would reduce the timeframe for this process. 28 day planning development allowances are not exempt.
If you are unsure if your land is in, or close to, a SSSI/SAC/SPA or Ramsar site you can check on the designations layer on MAGIC (defra.gov.uk)
You must also ensure that operating a temporary campsite, car park, toilet block, or other temporary use does not put you in breach of any environmental stewardship or countryside stewardship agreements that are already in place on the land. Breach of stewardship agreements would put you at risk of reclaims by the Rural Payments Agency.
No. The planning permission granted by the Government does not impose any limit on the number of cars on a temporary site.
Yes. Permanent pay and display machines require planning permission.
No. The formation of permanent areas of hard surface requires planning permission.
If you believe a site is operating in breach of planning control you should report this to planning@lakedistrict.gov.uk. It would significantly assist us in investigating alleged breaches if you had kept a diary of:
No. The planning permission granted by the Government does not include any requirements for highway safety. We could only look to take action if the use continues in breach of planning control.
No. The planning permission granted by the Government does not include any protections for neighbours. We could only look to take action if the use operates in breach of planning control.
No. We cannot take action against a temporary site unless it is being operated in breach of planning control.
Operating a temporary site in breach of planning control is unlawful, and at risk of formal enforcement action. We will notify landowners of our intention to take formal action, but will not delay enforcement action to pursue voluntary resolution where uses are clearly unacceptable on their planning merits.
The Government's National Planning Practice Guidance provides more information about permitted development rights.
We offer a Duty Planner Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 12:00 to provide general planning advice. Please phone 01539 724555.
