The government has introduced new laws which make it easier to set up temporary recreational campsites. It will expand opportunities for landowners to generate revenue from glamping without committing too much time and investment to their operation. Here’s what you need to know about changes to permitted development rights and how to maximise gains from the new regulations.
What are permitted development rights?
In the context of campsites and glamping sites, permitted development rights (PDR) means that you can erect glamping units without going through the burdensome process of applying for full planning permission.
What has changed under the new laws?
Prior to the new laws, farmers and landowners could operate pop-up glampsites for up to 28 days per year without needing to apply for extra planning permission. Following a consultation, a new law came into effect from 26 July 2023 which has extended PDR to 60 days per year.
How many pitches are permitted for temporary campsites under the new PDR?
The new Class BC Amendment to PDR limits sites to a maximum of 50 pitches, which is well above the number of units at most UK glamping sites. This includes the provision of any moveable structure reasonably necessary for the purposes of the permitted use.
Are there any other requirements under the new PDR?
Temporary recreational campsites must have on-site provision for toilet and waste disposal facilities. Landowners wishing to operate as a temporary recreational campsite will need to give prior notification to the Local Planning Authority every year. The notification needs to include the dates intended for use and a site plan showing the location of toilet and waste disposal facilities.
Are certain types of location excluded from the new PDR?
Development is not permitted by Class BC on a limited range of locations, including:
- The site of a scheduled monument
- A safety hazard area
- A military explosives storage area
- A site of special scientific interest
- The site of a listed building
What type of units are suitable for pop-up glamping?
Your choice of glamping unit needs to be easy to erect and dismantle. That rules out Shepherd’s Huts. Yurts are also a laborious option. A safari tent is a possibility, but geodomes are ideal for temporary sites. Their combination of enhanced comfort, all-weather strength, visual appeal and easy assembly/disassembly provides a hassle-free way to maximise your yield.
TruDomes’ compact 4.4m dome is the perfect pop-up solution. It offers a generous 12.92 square metres of space, but no infrastructure or wooden base is required to install one – you just need to lay down a base sheet and it’s ready for fast assembly using aircraft-grade aluminium frames and PVC covers.
How much revenue could you generate from 60 days per year?
It’s hard to be too precise about the yield from a dome as every site is different and a lot depends on the location and the level of facilities on site. However, if you’re intending to limit your facilities to the basic provision of toilets and waste disposal, you should be aiming for a minimum charge of around £70 per night per unit if your 60 days take place during the peak summer period.
If you had a booking every day on all 50 pitches at £70 per night, you’d be looking at £210,000 per year in revenue.
Need more advice?
TruDomes’ customer support team is here to provide advice. We are experts in helping landowners to generate revenue with pop-up glamping. For further information, please get in touch and we’d be happy to help!
You can call us on 024 7632 6585 or email [email protected]
