A new class of permitted development was introduced in July 2023 by The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2023 allowing temporary recreational campsites. Class BC has been designed to strike a balance between enabling outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in nature by going camping, whilst maintaining essential safeguards.
Class BC allows the facilitation of temporary recreational campsites whilst imposing requirements and conditions to ensure responsible usage. Class BC allows development consisting of:
- the use of any land as a recreational campsite for not more than 60 days in total in any calendar year; and
- the provision on such land of–
- not more than 50 pitches; and
- any moveable structure reasonably necessary for the purposes of the permitted use.
There are several restrictions where development is not permitted by Class BC which include if the development is:
- on a site of a scheduled monument
- in a safety hazard zone;
- in a military explosives area;
- on a site of special scientific interest;
- on a site of a listed building
- for the siting of any caravan except a caravan which is used as a motor vehicle designed or adapted to human habitation.
There are also a number of conditions that development under Class BC must adhere to, which are:
- On-Site Facilities: Developers must provide on-site facilities for toilet and waste disposal which are required for the operation of such a camp site, and to ensure that the environment is protected.
- Notification Requirement: The developer must notify the local planning authority in writing before commencement of development in each calendar year, providing a copy of the site plan which should include the toilet and waste facilities and the dates on which the site will be in use.
- Communication: The local planning authority (if not the same body as the fire and rescue authority in an area) must as soon as practicable provide to the relevant fire authority the same notice as it set out above.
- Flood Risk: If the proposed development falls within Flood Zone 2 or Flood Zone 3, the permitted development is subject to prior approval by the local planning authority before commencement of development in each calendar year.
Where the prior approval of the local planning authority is required, the application must be accompanied by a site-specific flood risk assessment (including provision for warning and evacuation) and any fee required to be paid.
Class BC ensures that a balance can be struck between promoting outdoor activities whilst safeguarding the environment. Temporary recreational campsites allow individuals to connect with nature whilst using outdoor spaces responsibly.
If you are thinking of setting up your own temporary campsite, using Class BC, get in touch with Squires Planning and let us help guide you through the process - ensuring you don't accidentally step outside of the regs!
