A seasonal campsite near Lewes has been formally recognised as lawful following a decision by the South Downs National Park Authority, bringing long-running planning uncertainty to an end and providing a case study relevant to campground and glamping operators operating in protected landscapes.
The campsite, located east of Heighton Street in Firle and covering approximately 4.2 hectares, lies within the South Downs National Park. The land had historically been used for agriculture before being repurposed for camping.
The site has operated on a seasonal basis, welcoming guests annually between spring and autumn. Under the terms now confirmed, the campsite can operate legally between May 1 and September 30 each year.
The operator applied for a Certificate of Lawful Development to establish the site’s legal status after it had been operating without planning permission for more than 10 years. Under planning legislation, a local planning authority may grant such a certificate if it is satisfied that a breach of planning control has continued uninterrupted for at least a decade.
Planning officers from the South Downs National Park Authority concluded that this threshold had been met. The authority granted the Certificate of Lawful Development on December 31, 2025, confirming that the continued use of the land as a campsite is lawful.
The site is currently operated by Woodfire Camping, which submitted the application on its behalf. The campsite was previously run by Yamp Camp, according to The Argus.
Evidence submitted with the application indicated that the Firle Estate had leased the land for camping purposes since 2012, and that the site had been in active use for camping from at least 2015.
Supporting material included Tripadvisor reviews dating back to 2015, social media posts from 2022, and satellite imagery from various dates between 2013 and 2024, all of which were used to demonstrate continuous operation.
In 2014, two applications were submitted seeking planning permission for a seasonal 40-pitch campsite operating between April 1 and October 31. Both applications were withdrawn, and no further planning action was taken at that time by the then-tenant.
With no counter-evidence presented, planning officers ruled in favour of the campsite. The approved use limits operations to weekends and summer holidays between May 1 and September 30, with the field remaining unused outside this period and no alternative use proposed.
A spokesperson for Woodfire Camping said: “We recognize the role that we provide as a conduit to the surrounding countryside and the importance of working closely with Firle village, the parish council and the South Downs National Park. We will continue to work hard to demonstrate our responsibility.”
For outdoor hospitality operators, the decision highlights the importance of maintaining records that evidence long-term use, including leases, guest reviews, and digital footprints.
It also underscores how Certificates of Lawful Development can play a role in resolving historic planning issues, particularly for seasonal camping and glamping businesses operating in sensitive or highly regulated areas.