A campsite on land near Heighton Street in Firle, East Sussex, England, has been formally recognised as lawful, allowing it to operate each year from May 1 through September 30.
According to a press release, the decision follows an application submitted in August 2025 to the South Downs National Park Authority by Firle Estate, represented by property agents Strutt & Parker, seeking a Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use or Development.
The application related to a 4.2-hectare parcel of land used as a recreational campsite with capacity for up to 50 pitches.
According to the accompanying documentation, the site had been operating without formal planning permission for a decade, a period long enough to qualify the use as lawful under planning rules if supported by sufficient evidence.
Strutt & Parker’s covering letter explained that the application was intended to confirm that the “existing permanent intermittent use of land” for camping is “lawful due to a continuous ten-year breach of planning control between June 2015 and June 2025.”
The agent also clarified that the campsite would not operate outside the approved season, stating that no alternative use would occur between October and April, when the land would remain unused.
The letter added: “This will allow an operator to use the land for camping during the relevant season each year without having to seek prior approval under the provisions of Class BC before commencing use for the summer.”
In its decision notice dated December 31, 2025, the South Downs National Park Authority confirmed that the evidence provided met the required legal threshold.
The notice stated: “The evidence submitted demonstrates that on the balance of probability the land has been used as a campsite since 2015 and is thereby immune from enforcement action and hereby considered lawful.”
Further details in Strutt & Parker’s submission outlined the site’s background as former agricultural land within the Firle Estate.
It has been managed by multiple operators over the years, including a tenant who later traded as Yamp Camp Ltd between 2012 and 2023.
Since summer 2024, the site has been operated by Woodfire Camping. Despite being seasonal, the use was described as “permanent intermittent” because facilities such as toilets, showers and a kitchen remain in place year-round.
Supporting evidence included historical Google Earth images, social media posts and Trip Advisor reviews spanning from 2015 to 2025.
The authority also noted that the lawful use raised no crime or disorder concerns and confirmed that the application was handled collaboratively, in line with national planning policy.
“Woodfire has its roots in the South Downs, and we are very grateful to the Firle Estate for the opportunity to manage the beautiful campsite at Firle. Woodfire was the UK’s first gastro campsite at Westerlands, West Sussex, where we have been working with local farms and food producers to create a unique experience, serving local food cooked over fire to campers who want to visit the area,” a Woodfire Camping spokesperson said.
“We have translated this experience to the site in Firle, using local suppliers and employing the most sustainable practices,” the spokesperson added.
“We recognise the role we play as a conduit to the surrounding countryside, as well as the importance of working closely with Firle village, the parish council and the South Downs National Park, and we will continue to work hard to demonstrate our responsibility,” the spokesperson said.
This development signifies a boost for the camping and outdoor hospitality sector, showing that well-managed seasonal campsites can operate legally in protected landscapes while supporting sustainable rural tourism and nature-based experiences.