National Park-wide Article 4 Directions – temporary campsites

On 12 February 2024 the New Forest National Park Authority confirmed an immediate National Park-wide Article 4 Direction in relation to the national permitted development rights introduced by the Government in summer 2023.

The effect of the Article 4 Direction confirmed in February 2024 is to withdraw permitted development rights within Class BC of Part 4 of Schedule 2 of the Order across the whole of the New Forest National Park in respect of any development consisting of use of land as a temporary recreational campsite unless both of the following apply:

• the land was first used as a temporary recreational campsite before 1 March 2020; and
• the use of the land as a temporary recreational campsite is for not more than 28 days in total in any calendar year.

We consulted on the Direction between 27 October and 1 December 2023, and considered the representations made during this period in confirming the Direction. The majority of representations received supported the introduction of the Direction to help safeguard the amenity of local communities and protect the landscape and internationally designated habitats of the New Forest National Park.

The Article 4 Direction and accompanying plan are available to view below. We have also produced accompanying guidance to help inform future planning applications for new and larger campsites. This guidance is available to view and download via the buttons below.

Background to the use of Article 4 Directions 

Our adopted Local Plan (2019) confirms consideration would be given to the use of an Article 4 Direction to ensure temporary campsites are properly planned. An Article 4 Direction means that a particular specified development cannot be carried out under permitted development and therefore needs a planning application. This gives the planning authority the opportunity to consider a proposal in more detail.

National Park-wide Article 4 Direction – Classes B and BA of Part 4, Schedule 2 – Introduced 2022.

In March 2021 the Authority resolved to make a non-immediate, National Park-wide Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for development within Classes B and BA of Part 4 of Schedule 2 for the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) (England) Order for larger and all new temporary campsites. This was in response to concerns expressed regarding the number of temporary campsites operating in the National Park; their impact on local communities; and impacts on the wider landscape and habitats of the New Forest.

In March 2022 the Authority agreed to bring the Article 4 Direction into effect on 30 September 2022. The confirmed Article 4 Direction helps to protect the environment of the New Forest National Park and means that planning permission is required for the following development within Classes B and BA of Part 4 of Schedule 2:

• All new temporary sites established since 1 March 2020 (irrespective of their size); and
• All existing temporary campsites established prior to 1 March 2020 with more than 50 pitches.

Article 4 Direction Report – September 2023

Notice of Article 4 Direction – October 2023

Article 4 Direction for Class BC temporary campsites – October 2023