Farmers advised to start planning to benefit from new revenue streams this summer 

In July 2023, the government announced a permanent extension to the Permitted Development Rights (PDR) that regulate temporary camping and caravan sites in England. Previously, farmers and landowners were able to operate a campsite under Permitted Development for 28 days each year, but this was extended to 60 days in the summer last year, enabling sites to be open for longer without needing extra planning permission.  

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, an outdoor accommodation provider, said that the demand for camping, glamping, and caravaning in the British countryside is at an “all-time high,” and the good news is that it is a relatively easy market for farmers and landowners to break into.   

He added: “Even small, back-to-basics campsites with nothing more than temporary toilets and cold running water make on average £13,000 per year for a farm business. Larger sites can make a lot more. They are easy to set up and market, and with camping in such demand, filling pitches is rarely a problem.”  

Start planning now

Mr Yates said that if English farmers are to get the most out of the 2024 holiday season, now is the time to start planning. He added: “With Christmas and New Year behind us, winter can seem long, cold and miserable. It’s no surprise, therefore, that people cheer themselves up by starting to think about their summer holiday. With 400,000 bednights booked for UK stays in 2024 already, delaying your diversification project could be costly.   

“If you’ve never run a campsite before, now is the time to get started. Doing the groundwork early will ensure you’re ready well in advance of the holiday season and will give you more time to market and sell your pitches.”   

Lifeline for rural communities

Mr Yates described the legislation as a “lifeline” for some rural communities, as the new laws will make diversification easier and more profitable for many farmers. He said: “Many rural communities across the UK are suffering. COVID has had a huge impact on a lot of our market towns and villages, and the ongoing agricultural transition and end of BPS are really starting to bite.  

“The 60-day PDR rule change opens up real opportunities for farmers and landowners to be able to earn significant extra revenue in a way that doesn’t impact a tremendous amount on the day-to-day farming operations.  

“The impact doesn’t stop at the farm gate. Analysis we carried out revealed that for every pound spent in pitch fees, another pound was spent in the local pubs, shops, restaurants and other tourist attractions, making it a win-win for all.”  

No change for Wales

However, farmers in Wales are unable to access the benefits that exist across the border in England. Despite this month representing the two-year anniversary of the end of a Welsh Assembly consultation on extending PDR, the government has consistently refused to reveal whether or not it will follow England’s lead.

As a result, Welsh farmers can only run campsites for 28 days per year without applying for extra planning permission. Mr Yates described the situation as a “disgrace”.

“The Welsh consultation finished two years ago, and the government has yet to make any kind of announcement on the issue. Meanwhile, England went from launching its consultation in February 2023 to changing the law five months later – just in time for the camping season,” he said.

“It cannot be right that after so many put considerable effort into responding to the consultation, the Welsh government still hasn’t reached a verdict. The stalemate leaves Welsh farmers and the wider rural economy unable to capitalise on the healthy appetite for staycations in the wake of the pandemic. Farmers over the border face no such restrictions and have already started cannibalising demand destined for Wales.”

Visit Pitchup.com website to learn more.

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