Meta description: The Lake District proposes withdrawing the 60-day Class BC campsite right from 1 March 2028. See the planning impact and actions for landowners.
Hello, landowner. The 60-day permitted development right for temporary campsites in England is not guaranteed everywhere.
On 30 September 2026, the Lake District National Park Authority approved taking a Park-wide Article 4 Direction to public consultation. If the Direction is confirmed, it would withdraw the Class BC campsite right in the Park from 1 March 2028.
The proposal is not yet a confirmed change. But the timeline matters if you farm, own rural land or run a hospitality business in the Lake District. Check your position, plan your season, and decide what to do next.
What an Article 4 Direction actually does
An Article 4 Direction removes specified permitted development rights in a defined area. If a right is withdrawn, you can no longer rely on that right for the development it covers. You will usually need to apply for planning permission instead.
It does not ban campsites. It brings proposals that could otherwise use the withdrawn right into the planning system.
The proposed Lake District Direction would apply across the National Park. It would target one specific right: Schedule 2, Part 4, Class BC of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015.
What the Lake District Direction would remove
Class BC currently allows an eligible temporary recreational campsite in England to operate for up to 60 days in a calendar year, with up to 50 pitches. It is a temporary right for tents, not a general permission for a permanent campsite or caravan site. Conditions apply, including notification to the local planning authority and facilities for toilets and waste disposal.
The right was introduced by S.I. 2023/747. Check the full legislation and your local planning authority’s guidance before you rely on it. Site restrictions and other legal requirements may also apply.
If the proposed Direction is confirmed, temporary campsites in the Lake District would need planning permission instead of relying on Class BC. That could affect farmers considering diversification, hospitality businesses adding seasonal pitches, and rural landowners planning a pop-up campsite in the Lake District.
Do not confuse Class BC with the old 28-day rule. The rules have changed over time, and other parts of the UK have different provisions. Check which law applies to your land and proposal.
For more on the current process, read our guide to prior approval for temporary campsites in England and Wales.
Why it matters beyond Cumbria
The Lake District proposal follows public concern about pop-up campsites and their effects on local communities and the landscape. The BBC reported on the Authority’s decision, after residents and campaign groups called for tighter controls.
Other national parks and protected landscapes will be watching the consultation. The outcome could shape how authorities consider temporary camping in areas facing similar pressures, including visitor numbers, land management and resident concerns.
If your land is near a national park or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, check for Article 4 Directions that already apply. Also check emerging planning proposals before you invest in campsite infrastructure. Do not assume a permitted development right will remain available.
The timeline landowners should work to
The Authority approved moving the proposed Direction to public consultation on 30 September 2026. The proposal states that it would come into force on 1 March 2028 if confirmed after consultation.
That date is proposed, not a guarantee that the Direction will be adopted as drafted. Follow the Authority’s updates and check the committee paper for the decision and proposal details.
If you plan a 2027 season inside the Park, check that your site meets all Class BC conditions. If you plan to camp in 2028, do not assume the right will cover your full season. Prepare for a planning application if the Direction is confirmed.
A valid planning permission granted before the Direction takes effect is not retrospectively cancelled by the Direction. Follow the terms of that permission, and check your own circumstances with the planning authority.
Your three options if you camp in the Park
- Plan your 2027 season under the existing right. Check your dates, pitch count, site eligibility and notification requirements. Keep records of your operating days and documents.
- Apply for planning permission. If you want to run a longer-term campsite, discuss a full application with the local planning authority. Start early, prepare the information it requests, and do not rely on a temporary right for a permanent proposal.
- Check whether your land is inside the Direction area. The proposal is Park-wide. Verify your land against the Authority’s published maps and updates before spending money. If your land is outside the proposed area, confirm which rules apply there instead.
Open Sky Adventure can support landowners navigating planning changes and considering camping as a form of land diversification. Explore our land and potential service and get advice before you commit to a site plan or equipment.
Compliance checklist
- Check the Lake District National Park Authority’s planning guidance and Article 4 updates.
- Respond to the public consultation. Set out how the proposal affects your land and business.
- Map your planned camping dates against the proposed 1 March 2028 start date.
- Get planning advice before buying tents, toilets or other campsite infrastructure.
- Keep written records of notices, applications, permissions and operating dates.
For relevant background, read the Authority’s planning guidance for pop-up camping and car parks. Check the latest version before acting. Planning rules can change, and this article is general information, not legal advice.
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