Meta Description: Master the Class BC prior approval process for 2026. Learn how farmers, pubs, and hotels can secure 60-day camping rights, manage flood risks, and maximize land revenue.
Welcome to your 2026 guide for temporary campsites, we are here to help you unlock your land's potential. Use Class BC permitted development rights to turn fields into revenue, follow these steps to stay compliant and profitable.
What is Class BC Permitted Development?
Class BC is your gateway to legal camping in England, it allows you to operate for 60 days per calendar year. You can host up to 50 pitches on your land, this includes tents, motorhomes, and campervans. Do not bring caravans onto the site, they are strictly prohibited under this class.
You may install moveable structures for your guests, provide toilets, set up waste disposal, and keep everything temporary. Under the latest S.I. 2026/313 amendment, these rules remain the gold standard for rural diversification.
Your Annual Notification Requirements
You must notify your Local Planning Authority (LPA) every single year, do not assume last year's notice covers you now. Send a written notification before you open, include a detailed site plan, mark your toilet locations, and show your waste disposal points.
State your exact operating dates clearly, ensure the LPA has this information in their hands. They will pass your details to the Fire and Rescue authority, this ensures your site is safe for every visitor. Check our survival skills guide to see what your guests need.
Navigating the Prior Approval Process
Prior approval is not always optional, it is triggered if your land sits in Flood Zone 2 or 3. Check your flood risk status immediately, use government maps to confirm your zone. If you are in a risk area, you must apply for prior approval before you start.
Submit a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment (FRA), include clear warning systems, and detail your evacuation plans. The LPA will consult the Environment Agency, they have 21 days to respond to the proposal. Wait for the 56-day decision window to close, do not start work until you have written approval or the time expires.
Land You Cannot Use
Certain land is strictly off-limits for Class BC rights, do not attempt to set up on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Avoid Scheduled Monuments and the curtilage of Listed Buildings, these areas require full planning permission.
Stay away from safety hazard zones and military explosives areas, keep your site clear of any major infrastructure risks. If your land is restricted, explore our guided tour options to utilize your space differently.
Strategic Moves for Farmers
Use your least productive fields for camping, keep your prime soil for crops. Rotate your campsite location annually, let the ground recover, and maintain your land's health. Stack Class BC with Class B temporary uses, run a farm shop or host small events alongside your pitches.
This multi-layered approach maximizes your income, it turns quiet corners into high-yield zones. Ensure your hiking trails are well-marked for your campers.
Profitable Plans for Pubs and Hotels
Pub owners should utilize rear paddocks or meadows, create a secluded escape for diners. Combine your camping offer with food and drink sales, drive footfall from the campsite directly into your bar. Manage your neighbor relations carefully, keep noise low, and maintain a professional boundary.
Hotels can use edge or perimeter land for "overflow" products, offer a luxury wild camping experience. This creates a unique product for your brand, it appeals to adventure seekers who want comfort and nature.
Understanding Site Licensing
Planning and licensing are different, you must handle both. If your campsite operates for more than 42 consecutive days, you need a site licence. This falls under the Public Health Act 1936, it is a separate legal requirement from your Class BC rights.
Monitor your calendar closely, track every night a guest stays, and stay within the 60-day limit to avoid full planning triggers. Stay safe, stay legal, and build a reputation for excellence.
Join Open Sky Adventure
We make land diversification simple for you, take the stress out of planning and compliance. We will happily help you, signup live now if you have an interest in joining our license agreement.
Work with experts who understand the 2026 landscape, protect your business, and start earning today. Join our group of successful landowners and start your adventure now.
