New rules for pop-up campsites in New Forest
It's in response to concerns about their increasing popularity
New planning guidance and regulations for temporary campsites in the New Forest National Park are to be introduced to help protect its wildlife and habitats.
In recent years the New Forest has seen a rise in the number of temporary or 'pop-up' campsites. These have benefitted from permitted development rights meaning they can operate without planning permission for 28 days a calendar year. This was extended by Government last year and again this year to 56 days to help the outdoor hospitality sector recover from the pandemic.
CONCERN OVER POP-UP CAMPSITES
However, with ever-increasing demand for touring pitches, there's real concern about the environmental impacts of these temporary campsites within the National Park in the future.
The concerns focus mainly on disturbance of protected habitats, safe disposal of waste water and effluent, and the need to demonstrate compliance with the Habitat Regulations (which is a condition of all national permitted development rights).
NEW FOREST ON MOST VISITED LIST
The New Forest is already one of the most visited National Parks in England and has the highest proportion of designated land of international value for nature conservation in the country.
At the Full National Park Authority Meeting on Thursday (25 March 2021), Members agreed to publish guidance and a mitigation framework to help existing smaller campsites meet the requirements of the Habitat Regulations. This is likely to involve sites paying an appropriate habitat mitigation contribution each year, and ensuring proper arrangements are in place for the safe disposal of waste water and effluent.
It was further agreed that from June next year (2022) all larger and new campsites would need to apply for planning permission, supported by new policy/guidance against which future planning applications would be assessed.
WATCH: DISCUSSION OVER NEW FOREST POP-UP CAMPSITE ISSUE
Leo Randall, Chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority's Planning Committee said:
"The New Forest National Park has more than three times the number of camping and touring caravan bed spaces per square kilometre than the average of all other English national parks. Given that this small geographical area is already well served by existing camping and caravan sites, we believe our proposals strike an appropriate balance between the need to protect the New Forest environment while recognising the important role of tourism in the local economy."
Steve Avery, Director of Strategy and Planning at the New Forest National Park Authority said:
"We shall be liaising closely with campsite owners over the next few weeks as we work up the details of the guidance and mitigation framework to help them meet the requirements of the Habitat Regulations. The proposed withdrawal of permitted development rights for larger and all new campsites will be the subject of a future public consultation later this year."