New planning rules for pop-up campsites will help protect the New Forest
PUBLISHED ON: 25 MARCH 2021New planning guidance and regulations for temporary campsites in the National Park are to be introduced to help protect the New Forest’s wildlife and habitats.
In recent years the New Forest has seen an increase in the number of temporary or ‘pop-up’ campsites. These have benefitted from permitted development rights whereby they can operate without planning permission for 28 days a calendar year. This was extended by Government last year and again this year to 56 days to help the outdoor hospitality sector recover from the pandemic.
However, with an ever-increasing demand for touring pitches, there is concern about the future environmental impacts of these temporary campsites within the National Park. These are mainly around the disturbance of protected habitats, and the safe disposal of waste water and effluent and the need to demonstrate compliance with the Habitat Regulations (which is a condition of all national permitted development rights).
The New Forest is already one of the most visited National Parks in England and has the highest proportion of designated land of international value for nature conservation in the country.
At today’s Full National Park Authority Meeting (25 March 2021), Members agreed to publish guidance and a mitigation framework to help existing smaller campsites meet the requirements of the Habitat Regulations. This is likely to involve sites paying an appropriate habitat mitigation contribution each year, and ensuring proper arrangements are in place for the safe disposal of waste water and effluent.
It was further agreed that from June next year (2022) all larger and new campsites would need to apply for planning permission, supported by new policy/guidance against which future planning applications would be assessed.
Leo Randall, Chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority’s Planning Committee said: ‘The New Forest National Park has more than three times the number of camping and touring caravan bed spaces per square kilometre than the average of all other English national parks. Given that this small geographical area is already well served by existing camping and caravan sites, we believe our proposals strike an appropriate balance between the need to protect the New Forest environment while recognising the important role of tourism in the local economy.’
Steve Avery, Director of Strategy and Planning at the New Forest National Park Authority added: ‘We shall be liaising closely with campsite owners over the next few weeks as we work up the details of the guidance and mitigation framework to help them meet the requirements of the Habitat Regulations. The proposed withdrawal of permitted development rights for larger and all new campsites will be the subject of a future public consultation later this year.’
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Notes to editor:
Since 2012 the New Forest National Park Authority has sought financial contributions from new development within the National Park to fund activities designed to mitigate the potential impacts of resulting increased recreational pressures on the New Forest’s internationally-protected habitats. In the last financial year these went towards funding seasonal rangers, communications about protecting ground-nesting birds, and improved signage for selected rights of way.
About the New Forest National Park Authority
Protect – Enjoy – Prosper
The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:
-Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park – Protect.
-Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.
We also have a duty to:
Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.
The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.
Maria Court, Senior Communications Officer
New Forest National Park Authority
Tel: 01590 646650
Email: maria.court@newforestnpa.gov.uk