In July 2023 the government brought in extended permitted development rights for recreational camping. This permits the use of land for up to 60 days in any calendar year as a recreational campsite without having to submit a planning application.
The regulations are set out in Schedule 2, Part 4, Class BC of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2023.
What are the rules and exceptions?
Permitted development rights are subject to conditions and limitations to control impacts and to protect local amenity.
The legislation allows:
- Up to 50 pitches for tents, campervans and motorhomes only (not caravans)
- On site temporary toilet/shower facilities – These must be removed from the site outside of your chosen 60 days. Each day the facilities are on the land will count towards the 60 day limit even if the site is unoccupied.
The legislation does NOT allow the temporary use if the land is:
- on the site of a scheduled monument
- in a safety hazard area
- in a military explosives storage area
- a site of special scientific interest
- on the site of a Listed Building
If you intend to operate for tents for more than 42 consecutive days or for more than 60 days in a calendar year, you will also need to obtain a tent/camping licence from the council for your area. Details of how to apply for the licence are available to view on North Yorkshire Council or Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council website.
What do I need to do?
You must notify the Local Planning Authority every year of your intentions to use land for a 60 day campsite. Failure to do so means you do not have Permitted Development Rights for this use.
The information you must provide is dependent on what Flood Zone the land falls within. You can check what Flood Zone the land falls in using the Government website.
Flood Zone 1
If the site falls within Flood Zone 1, the following information should be submitted to the Authority:
- confirmation of the site address
- a site plan showing the particulars of toilet and waste disposal facilities
- confirmation of the dates you intend to operate (not exceeding 60 days)
Flood Zones 2 and 3
If the site falls within a Flood Zone 2 or 3 area, to benefit from the 60 day permitted development rights, you must submit a formal ‘prior notification’ where the following information should be submitted to the Authority:
- Completed application form
- a flood risk assessment
- confirmation of the site address
- a site plan showing the particulars of toilet and waste disposal facilities
- confirmation of the dates you intend to operate (not exceeding 60 days)
- standard application fee of £240 is required.
Where do I send my notification to?
Notification with the above details or the completed form (if applicable) can be submitted by email to planning@northyorkmoors.org.uk or via the post.
Need some further advice?
If you are in any doubt as to whether the permitted development rights apply to your land or wish to receive advice from a Planning Officer, you can submit a pre-application advice enquiry by sending details of the proposal to our planning email.