A landscape charity seeking to protect the Lake District says it is “disappointed” by a new pop-up campsite ruling.
The changes allow temporary campsites run in open countryside to stay longer and, it has emerged, for greater numbers of people to stay on them.
The extension by the Government means campsites can now stay for 60 days, instead of the usual 28.
The 28 days policy will also remain in place until next July, which could see some fields hosting campers for 88 days, or more than 12 weeks.
In addition, the number of pitches allowed has been increased from 30 to 50, allowing greater numbers of campers.
FoLD, along with the Campaign for National Parks, raised a number of concerns during a Government consultation on the issue earlier this year.
Lorayne Wall, policy officer for FoLD, said: “Whilst it appears operators will need to notify the local authority of their plans, it is very concerning that whereas the consultation sought views on a proposed maximum of 30 tent pitches per site to be subject to this new right, the Government has chosen to instead allow up to 50 pitches for tents or campervans along with any movable structure reasonably necessary to support such use, such as toilets.”
FoLD and the Campaign for National Parks had made the case that special areas, such as national parks, be protected from any changes to the rules.
She added: “In response to the consultation, we recommended that protected landscapes and other designations be excluded from the proposals and that in these areas, the 28-day limit should still stand.
“We also highlighted that in some cases, even 30 pitches could be inappropriate, but these pleas have been ignored and the new right will apply across all National Parks, AONBs and other designations, with only a few exceptions. This extension of rights could have a significant impact on the landscape.”
She cited the case at Stair in the Newlands valley, which had applied for planning permission from the national park authority for a seasonal campsite, which was then refused by the LDNPA.
This month, the applicants then lost an appeal made to the national Planning Inspectorate. An inspector upheld the LDNPA’s decision and Ms Wall said the new pop-up policy by the Government was completely “at odds” with the planning inspector’s decision.
The inspector rejected the appeal on landscape, flood risk and access safety grounds, “recognising that even campsites that do not operate year-round can have significant impacts,” she said.
The Country Land and Business Association had lobbied for changes on behalf of members. Just this week, the CLA welcomed Government plans to cut “planning red tape”.
President Mark Tufnell said the planning system needed to be better resourced, smoother to navigate and enable farmers and landowners to “convert barns and re-purpose agricultural buildings” more easily.
“We are pleased the Government is beginning to recognise the direct relationship between economic growth and planning reform.
“The rural economy is 19 per cent less productive than the national average. Closing that gap would add an estimated £43bn to the economy.”
During COVID, there were complaints in the Lake District by a mass influx after the temporary rule was extended to 56 days.
