The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) has confirmed that a new Article 4(1) Direction will come into effect on January 1, 2026, removing permitted development rights for 28-day camping, caravan, and mobile home sites within the National Park.
The measure is aimed at addressing the cumulative impacts of temporary camping on the park’s protected landscapes, biodiversity, and infrastructure.
The Authority approved the directive during its meeting on May 7, following a consultation process conducted over several months in 2024 and early 2025.
According to PCNPA, the rule change is a response to concerns about the visual and ecological effects of short-term, unregulated camping, as well as issues such as noise, traffic, and strain on local amenities.
According to the Tenby Observer, the new planning control does not apply to all temporary uses. A clarification issued in March 2024 outlines that temporary car parks, mobile saunas, and other short-term developments not involving overnight stays will remain unaffected.
Similarly, sites operating under exemption certificates or associated with exempted organisations will continue to operate as before.
Temporary camping related to one-off events such as weddings, festivals, filming, or agricultural shows will also not require planning permission, provided they are clearly ancillary to the main event.
In making such determinations, the Authority will assess licensing arrangements, promotional activities, the relative use of the site, and the duration of the event.
Once implemented, the Article 4 Direction will enable the Authority to manage where and how 28-day temporary campsites are established within the National Park.
Landowners will be required to obtain planning permission for such uses, although these applications will be fee-exempt and prioritised by the Authority. A free pre-application service will also be made available to support operators transitioning to the new rules.
“This initiative will help ensure that exempted sites continue to operate responsibly and in accordance with local and national policies, fostering a collaborative approach to safeguarding the National Park,” a PCNPA spokesperson said.
PCNPA’s chief executive Tegryn Jones previously noted that temporary campsites accounted for 12% of the Authority’s enforcement workload.
He pointed to a high volume of complaints related to pop-up sites and said the Authority was aiming to “even the playing field” through measured regulation.
For outdoor hospitality business owners, particularly those operating near or within the boundaries of the National Park, the change presents both a regulatory shift and an opportunity.
Those already in compliance with planning regulations or operating under exemptions will remain unaffected, while others now have a clear timeline and support structure to align with the new expectations.
By formally managing temporary accommodation sites, the Authority is aiming to balance tourism with conservation—an approach that underscores the importance of strategic land use planning in protected areas.