New legislation (see details below) came into force on 26th July 2023 to permit pop-up camping and glamping sites in England and Wales to stay open for longer. This new "60-day rule" replaces the previous 28-day rule and is applicable to temporary sites with 50 or fewer pitches. Most importantly, it also specifies that toilets and waste disposal facilities must be provided. Glampsan can help you with options for waste disposal facilities.

Attractive legislation for landowners

Extending the permitted opening from 28 to 60 days will make it more attractive for landowners across England & Wales to welcome campers. Sites will be able to open for a time-period to better match the main holidays in the year. You will of course need to go through the necessary channels and advise your planning authority BEFORE going ahead (see below). But this will be a major boost for the staycation industry and will bring in more custom to the local pubs, restaurants, farmshops and other businesses.

What are the 28-day and 60-day rules?

To open a tent-focussed, temporary campsite in the UK, you will typically need planning permission and a campsite licence. However, if you are considering opening for a short period only, you may be able to do so under “permitted development rights” without having to apply for full planning. These rights include what has traditionally been known as “the 28-day rule”, now amended to the new 60-day rule. It is a sensible bit of legislation that is widely used by many camping hosts running temporary, short-term, or pop-up campsites because casual campsites can operate without the burden of too much red tape.

Most importantly, the legislation allows you to install temporary facilities (as moveable structures) - i.e. waste disposal tanks, portable toilet blocks, shower blocks etc. This will mean that the temporary facilities will be totally removed from site outside of the 60-day period.

Please note: for the existing year you probably won't jump straight to 60 days if you've already been working to the 28-day rule. It'll most likely be on a pro rata basis up to about 39 days max for the rest of 2023. But seek advice on this, please.

What's involved?

For full details please consult the legislation below, but in brief:
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- no more than 50 pitches
- toilet and waste disposal facilities should be provided
- you are able to provide "any moveable structure reasonably necessary for the campsite use" (e.g. toilet blocks, showers, waste tanks

What do you have do do with your local planning office?

• You must notify your local planning authority in advance and do this every every year with the dates the site will be in use.
• These dates do not need to run consecutively: you can pick the dates (e.g. weekends, half-term holidays, Bank Holiday weekends).
  But please remember that any dates on which tents and facilities remain on site (even if they are not actually in use) will still count towards your limit.
• Click here to search for your planning office.
• You must include a site plan including particulars on toilets and waste disposal facilities.
• If you are in a flood zone you will need to submit a risk assessment.

What about Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Although the legislation listed below specifically references England and Wales, it is hoped that Scotland and Northern Ireland will follow suit.

What else should you know?

• Whilst the 28-day rule was applicable to tents-only camping, the 60-day rule also applies to motorised vehicles such motorhomes and campervans, which have been adapted for human habitation
• Note: but if you actually "pitch" campervans and motorhomes you may still need a caravan site licence.
• Caravans are NOT permitted - they are not motorised - and they don't qualify as "temporary"
• The legislation will not apply to SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), sites of listed buildings or scheduled monuments
• You can't open in your own back garden, in a safety hazard area or military zone

What does Glampsan offer?

• Flat Tanks for chemiloo waste disposal
• Elsan Tipping Points for chemiloo waste disposal
• IBCs for on site water supply
• Small, Medium and Large water tanks for on site water supply

THE LEGISLATION

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT etc.) ORDER 2023 ENGLAND - 2023 No. 747 - Crown Copyright 2023

This came into force on 26th July 2023 and applies to England & Wales.

Other useful material

This helpful article from Hipcamp goes into some additional detail. But please return to www.glampsan.com for solutions on waste control.

The above article is based on our own interpretation of the legislation and does not constitute legal advice. Glampsan and its parent company (Plastic Solutions (Aldridge) Limited) does not accept responsibility for errors and omissions. Different conditions may apply depending on your individual circumstances and we recommend seeking professional advice on implementing the rules.

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‍Find out how our waste solutions can help you make use of the 60-day rule by contacting us today. We look forward to your call.