New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA) have announced (27 October 2023) they have served a notice (termed an Article 4 Direction) which covers the whole administrative area of the Park, which prevents implementation of the latest government changes to ‘permitted development’, for tented recreational camping.
Historically, any area of open land could be used for tented recreational camping for up to 28 days in a calendar year without the need to apply for planning permission.
In July 2023 national government loosened the existing 28 day ‘rule’ allowing the number of permitted days to rise to 60 but limiting the number of tents to 50.
The issuing of the ‘Direction’ actually does more than prevent the use of the July 2023 government legislation – it goes one step further – by putting a time restriction on any new 28 day camping sites.
This means no temporary recreational camping is allowed on land unless the camp site was in use before 1 March 2020 and in any event no recreational camping is permitted for more than 28 days in a calendar year.
Whist the ‘direction takes immediate effect, it must be confirmed by the NFNPA within 6 months to have permanent effect.
Alan Davies (Associate Director Chapman Lily) explained, ‘This means that no completely new 28 day camp sites can be created anymore. Whilst the NFPA state that they will take into consideration any comments received during this 6 month period, it appears unlikely they will rescind the Direction’