Farmers and landowners across much of Wales can now operate temporary tent campsites for up to 60 days per calendar year under expanded permitted development rights, creating additional opportunities for rural businesses to diversify into outdoor tourism.
The new rules came into force on September 1, 2026, increasing the general annual allowance for temporary campsites from 28 days to 60 days. The change could give farms, estates and other landowners greater flexibility to accommodate visitors during peak tourism periods, seasonal demand and major events without seeking full planning permission for a permanent campground.
The expanded allowance, however, comes with a new notification and prior approval process, according to BusinessNewsWales. Operators intending to use the permitted development rights must notify their local planning authority before opening and provide information about the proposed campsite.
The information required includes a site layout plan, details of pitches and amenities, toilet and wastewater facilities, waste storage and disposal arrangements, highway access and the proposed dates of operation. Planning authorities can then determine whether Prior Approval is required and assess matters such as wastewater management, refuse disposal and vehicle access.
For outdoor hospitality businesses, the change may provide an opportunity to evaluate demand with a temporary operation before committing to a permanent development. A 60-day operating window could allow a landowner to test different periods of the tourism season, respond to local events or assess whether a longer-term camping or glamping business is commercially viable.
The additional operating time may also affect how operators plan staffing, sanitation, waste collection, site maintenance and guest communications. While temporary sites may have lower upfront infrastructure requirements than permanent developments, operators will still need to account for access, environmental considerations and the capacity of local services.
The 60-day allowance does not apply uniformly across Wales. Temporary campsites located within National Parks, National Landscapes and World Heritage Sites remain subject to the existing 28-day-per-calendar-year limit.
The change could be particularly relevant in rural counties such as Powys, where agriculture and tourism are both important components of the local economy. Farms and other businesses with suitable land may now have a longer period in which to generate tourism revenue while retaining the temporary nature of the operation.
Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Legal and Regulatory Services, Councillor Richard Church, said:
“These changes introduced by the Welsh Government provide new opportunities for landowners, farmers and rural businesses to support our thriving visitor economy.
“At the same time, the new notification and prior approval process will help ensure temporary campsites are operated responsibly, with proper consideration given to environmental protection, highway safety and the interests of local communities.”
The council is reminding prospective operators that the expanded permitted development rights do not eliminate planning oversight. Landowners must notify the council and provide the required information before commencing operations.
For existing campground and glamping operators, the change could also introduce additional seasonal competition, particularly in rural tourism markets where temporary sites can now remain open for substantially longer. At the same time, it may create opportunities for established operators to work with nearby farms and landowners on overflow capacity, event-focused camping or other seasonal accommodation models.
The September 1 change therefore provides rural landowners with greater flexibility while maintaining a planning review mechanism intended to address potential effects on roads, wastewater, waste management, neighboring properties and the surrounding environment.
