Hello, landowners and farmers. If you’re planning a pop-up campsite, don’t rely on the old 28-day rule. In England and Wales, new permitted development rights now provide a route for some recreational campsites to operate for up to 60 days each calendar year.
But the change is not the same across both countries. The rules have different start dates, limits and processes. Check which applies to your land before you advertise pitches or welcome guests.
Is the 28-day rule dead?
No. The 28-day rule has not vanished from planning law. It still applies to some temporary land uses, and in Wales it remains the campsite limit in certain protected areas.
But if you want to run a qualifying temporary campsite, the old 28-day route is no longer the main option to consider. The key question is whether your site can use the newer campsite right:
- England: Class BC allows qualifying recreational campsites for up to 60 days per calendar year. It came into force on 26 July 2023.
- Wales: Class BA allows qualifying recreational campsites for up to 60 days per calendar year from 1 June 2026, outside certain protected areas. The related change to the old temporary-use class takes effect on 1 September 2026.
So, “the 28-day rule” is not a reliable summary for every campsite in 2026. Your location and the planning class matter.
What does the temporary campsite 60 days rule mean?
The temporary campsite 60 days rule gives eligible landowners a longer annual window for temporary recreational camping without a full planning application for that use.
It does not give you an automatic right to open any field as a campsite. You must meet the relevant class requirements. You must also follow the steps that apply before the site opens.
Think of the 60 days as a limit on the campsite’s use across the calendar year. It is not a separate allowance for each booking, group or part of the field. Keep clear records of the days your campsite is in use.
The rights are also not identical:
| England: Class BC | Wales: Class BA | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual campsite limit | Up to 60 days | Up to 60 days outside specified protected areas |
| Protected-area limit | Check exclusions and local restrictions | 28 days in a National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or World Heritage Site |
| Pitch limit | Up to 50 pitches | No pitch cap stated in Class BA |
| Before opening | Give the local planning authority written notice; prior approval applies in Flood Zones 2 and 3 | Apply to the local planning authority for a determination before starting |
This is a short comparison, not a site assessment. Read the legislation and check your local planning position before you make plans.
England: the old limit and Class BC
Class BC became available in England on 26 July 2023. For a qualifying recreational campsite, it allows up to 60 days of use in a calendar year, with a maximum of 50 pitches.
Before opening in each calendar year, you must notify your local planning authority in writing. The notice must include a site plan showing the facilities and the dates you plan to operate. The class also requires on-site toilet and waste-disposal facilities.
If your site is in Flood Zone 2 or 3, you need to follow the prior-approval process before starting. Don’t treat the notice as approval. Check the requirements and allow time for the authority to respond.
Class BC has exclusions. It does not apply to every site or every kind of accommodation. Ordinary caravans are not covered by the class, subject to the wording for motor vehicles designed or adapted for human habitation. Check the current Class BC legislation and any local restrictions, including Article 4 Directions.
Wales: Class BA and the 28-day exception
In Wales, Class BA took effect on 1 June 2026. It allows qualifying recreational camping for up to 60 days in a calendar year outside National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites.
Within those three designations, the limit remains 28 days. Class BA also has other exclusions, so don’t assume that land outside those protected areas qualifies automatically.
Before starting each year, apply to your local planning authority for a decision on whether prior approval is required. Your application needs a site plan and details such as pitch locations, amenities, access and operating dates. The authority has 28 days to issue its determination or tell you that the application is incomplete.
If the authority says prior approval is required, submit the further application and wait for written approval before opening. The change to the old temporary-use class takes effect on 1 September 2026. Read the Welsh amendment order and confirm how its commencement dates apply to your plans.
What should you do before opening?
Start with your postcode and a calendar. Then take these steps:
- Confirm the jurisdiction. England uses Class BC. Wales uses Class BA.
- Check the land. Look for protected designations, relevant exclusions and local planning restrictions.
- Count your days. Set the operating dates for the whole calendar year. Keep a record.
- Check the site plan. Map the pitches, access and facilities required by your route.
- Complete the right process. Give the required notice in England. Apply for a determination in Wales. Get prior approval where required.
- Check other obligations. Permitted development is a planning route. It does not automatically remove separate licensing, safety or environmental duties.
What the change means for landowners and farmers
The shift from 28 to 60 days can give you more time to host a seasonal campsite. It can also give you more flexibility when you plan around farm work, visitor demand and the weather.
But the extra days do not remove the need to plan. Your campsite still needs to fit the rules for its location and class. Get the dates, documents and required arrangements in order before you promote the site.
If you’re considering a pop-up campsite, review the official England Class BC provisions or the Welsh Class BA amendment. Then speak to your local planning authority if any part of your proposal is unclear.
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