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National Park Authority Implements New Rules for Pop-up Campsites in New Forest

England’s National Park Authority (NPA) shows determination to limit the damage to the environment by temporary facilities on farms and other sites.

Starting September, 28-day campsites with 51 pitches or more and other long-term camping made after March 1, 2020, will need planning permission.

The NPA made the new rule due to issues in the growing number of temporary facilities appearing in the forest, impacting the landscape and sensitive habitats.

An NPA spokesperson said the New Forest National Park had seen increasing pop-up campsites in recent years.

It now has more than three times the number of camping and touring caravan bed spaces per square kilometer than the average of all other English national parks. There are 12 known temporary campsites, with pitch numbers ranging from 12 to 90,” they said.

Under permitted development rights, temporary campsites can operate only 28 days a year without official consent.

The number of days was initially extended to 56 days in 2020 and 2021 as part of a campaign to support the hospitality sector in surviving the pandemic.

However, NPA article 4 direction said new campsites and larger existing ones must obtain planning permission. The process allows conditions to be applied to protect communities and the environment.

A six-week public forum was held at the end of last year.

The NPA listened to the comments of a range of respondents, including campsite operators and key stakeholders. The majority supported the new regulations, including the RSPB and the Verderers.

Approximately 20% of respondents objected to the plans, while 9% abstained.

NPA’s Planning Committee Chairman Gordon Bailey said the New Forest is already one of England’s most popular national parks. It was important they “protect the very thing” people came to enjoy.

This article originally appeared on the Daily Echo.

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Hi, you might find this article from Modern Campground interesting: National Park Authority Implements New Rules for Pop-up Campsites in New Forest! This is the link: https://moderncampground.com/europe/united-kingdom/national-park-authority-implements-new-rules-for-pop-up-campsites-in-new-forest-starting-september/