Farm Diversification Wales: 60-Day Campsite Rules Explained 2026

Key Points

• As of 1 September 2026, most of Wales permits temporary tent campsites for up to 60 days per year without planning permission, an increase from 28 days.
• The 60-day limit does not extend to National Parks, National Landscapes (formerly AONBs) and World Heritage Sites, which will retain the 28-day limit.
• A new system of prior-approval/notification will involve operators notifying the planning authority in advance of opening, and providing site plans and information on pitches, facilities, wastewater management, waste management, access and dates.
• Planning authorities have 28 days in which to determine if prior-approval is required; in cases where prior-approval is required, a decision is to be taken within eight weeks of receipt of any additional information.
• Exclusions are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, scheduled monuments, special areas of conservation, Flood Zone 2-3, and normally land within 100m of a building not owned by the operator.
• All days count towards the annual limit where there are camping facilities on the land regardless of whether any visitors are in residence; in 2026, the days counted previously under the 28-day limit will need to be subtracted from the new 60-day limit.
• Permanent structures and any infrastructure such as buildings, tracks, accesses and hard-standing

Wales (Wales Times) September 07, 2026 – Farmers and landowners across much of Wales can now operate temporary tent campsites for up to 60 days a year without full planning permission, under permitted development rights that came into force on 1 September 2026. The Welsh Government increased the general annual allowance from 28 to 60 days, aiming to open new opportunities for rural businesses to diversify into tourism and generate additional income during peak periods and around major events.

As reported by Business News Wales, the expanded allowance is paired with a new notification process, meaning operators must first contact their local planning authority to establish whether prior approval is required before opening a temporary site. Operators must submit a site layout plan with details of pitches and amenities, toilet and wastewater facilities, waste storage and disposal, highway access and proposed dates of operation. Planning authorities will then consider wastewater, refuse disposal and vehicle access, among other issues.

Nation.Cymru staff reported that councils have 28 days to decide whether prior approval is required, and if it is, a decision should normally be made within eight weeks after any additional requested information is provided. The Welsh Government states the changes are intended to balance greater flexibility for the visitor economy with safeguards for neighbouring communities, infrastructure and the environment.

How long can temporary campsites operate without planning permission?

Under the new Class BA permitted development route, land outside specified protected areas can be used as a recreational campsite for up to 60 days in total in each calendar year, and the days do not need to run consecutively. However, the limit remains 28 days in total in each calendar year for land within a National Park, a National Landscape (formerly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), or a World Heritage Site.

Nation.Cymru reported that any days on which camping facilities remain on the land count towards the annual limit, even if there are no customers staying at the site. For 2026, days already used under the previous 28-day rules must also be deducted from the new 60-day allowance.

Where do the 60-day rules not apply in Wales?

The 60-day allowance will not apply everywhere. Temporary campsites within National Parks, National Landscapes and World Heritage Sites will remain limited to 28 days per calendar year. Nation.Cymru further reported that the new rights will not apply to some protected or potentially unsuitable land, including Sites of Special Special Scientific Interest, scheduled monuments, special areas of conservation and land within Flood Zones 2 or 3.

Temporary campsites will also generally be prohibited within 100 metres of a home occupied by someone other than the campsite owner or operator, a buffer zone highlighted in guidance on Class BA camping in Wales.

What prior approval and notification steps must operators follow?

Anyone intending to operate a temporary campsite must now provide information about the proposed site so the authority can determine whether prior approval is required. Operators will need to submit a site layout plan alongside details of pitches and amenities, toilet and wastewater facilities, waste storage and disposal, highway access and the proposed dates of operation.

Planning authorities will then be able to consider issues including wastewater, refuse disposal and vehicle access. Councils have 28 days to decide whether prior approval is required; if it is, a decision should normally be made within eight weeks after the additional information requested has been provided.

What infrastructure and caravan rules remain unchanged?

Permanent infrastructure such as buildings, tracks, new accesses or hardstanding is not covered by the new rights and would require planning permission. The rules apply to temporary campsites for tents, with caravans subject to separate planning provisions.

What have councils and the Welsh Government said about the changes?

As reported by Business News Wales and Nation.Cymru, 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.” He added: “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 Welsh Government’s guidance on the new permitted development rights for temporary campsites is available on its website, setting out the scope and process for operators.

Background to the campsite policy development in Wales

The policy shift follows years of debate over permitted development rights for temporary recreational campsites in Wales, where the previous general allowance was 28 days per calendar year. During the pandemic, restrictions were eased to allow up to 56 days, but by 2023 the rules reverted to the pre-COVID 28-day limit, prompting concerns from tourism businesses about competitive disadvantage relative to England, where a 60-day allowance has been in place since 2023.

Last year, the Welsh Government initiated a consultation on raising the limit beyond 60 days, acknowledging “broad support” in past feedback and recognising that some local businesses felt disadvantaged. At the same time, ministers sought to address concerns about disturbances for neighbours living adjacent to pop-up campsites, proposing a new category of permitted development with conditions, including a 100-metre buffer from buildings not owned by the operator and exclusions for certain flood zones and listed-building vicinities.

Following the consultation, the government announced a phased implementation beginning on 1 June 2026, with full compliance required from 1 September 2026. The first phase maintained the 28-day limit in national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty (now National Landscapes) and world heritage sites, while introducing requirements for operators to coordinate vehicle access and wastewater management with their local council. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order amendment for Wales in 2026 formally established the 60-day allowance for recreational campsites in specified areas.

Prediction: how the 60-day campsite rules could affect farmers and rural businesses

For farmers, estates and other rural landowners, the extension to 60 days could materially improve the economics of diversification by allowing longer operation across the summer season or multiple busy periods without the cost and delay of full planning applications. The ability to test demand over a longer window may encourage more landowners to trial temporary camping before committing to permanent tourism infrastructure, potentially increasing the number of rural micro-enterprises entering the visitor economy.

However, the prior-approval process and exclusions for protected landscapes, flood zones and land near neighbouring dwellings mean that not all holdings will qualify, and some operators may face additional administrative steps before opening. In counties such as Powys, where agriculture and tourism are both significant, the changes are likely to be most impactful where land meets the criteria and where councils process prior-approval notifications efficiently. Over time, if the notification process proves workable, the policy could support a modest expansion in short-stay, low-infrastructure camping capacity in rural Wales, while maintaining constraints in sensitive environments.