Pembrokeshire National Park 28 Day Rule Consultation

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority is consulting on proposed changes to the 28-day rule for temporary caravan and campsites, aiming to promote sustainable tourism. CLA Cymru outlines the key areas for the consultation.
Pembs - 1
Pembrokeshire Coastline. Photo credit: J Pearce

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) is conducting a consultation on proposed changes to the 28-day rule for temporary caravan and campsites. This rule allows these sites to operate without planning permission for up to 28 days a year, or 60 days with an exemption certificate. The proposed changes aim to enhance tourism management while balancing environmental and community benefits.

Context for our members

CLA Cymru supports planning processes that facilitate rural economic growth and simplify the operational environment for businesses within National Park authorities. As a non-partisan organisation, our current stance is to gather member feedback and ensure all perspectives are considered. We encourage members to share their views through the consultation process and at the Pembrokeshire Show event.
We will continue to gather facts and information about the implications of any changes to the current rules.

CLA Cymru recognises the importance of balancing environmental stewardship with economic growth. We urge all stakeholders to carefully consider the proposed changes to the 28-day rule and their potential impact on the rural economy and engage with the online consultation.

Victoria Bond, CLA Cymru Director

The Proposal

The proposed changes from Pembrokeshire National Park include:

  1. Article 4 Direction: The preferred option by the PCNPA is to introduce an Article 4 Direction, which would remove the permitted development rights for 28-day sites.
  2. Voluntary Code of Conduct: Alongside the Article 4 Direction, a voluntary code of conduct for operators is proposed to ensure responsible and sustainable tourism practices.

Key considerations are the implications for other national parks and planning, should this directive go ahead, alongside impact on an already burdened planning system.

The Consultation

The purpose of the PCNPA consultation is to gather public and stakeholder feedback on the management and regulation of camping and caravan sites within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

  • The National Park Authority aims to promote tourism that benefits the environment and local community.
  • Temporary sites currently operate under permitted development rights for up to 28 days without planning permission.
  • Public views are being solicited on various options for managing these sites effectively.

The consultation is live and closes on 20th September 2024.

Members are encouraged to fill in the consultation questionnaire to voice their opinions on the proposed changes as soon as possible. The consultation link is available here.

Pembrokeshire Show Event

CLA Cymru will be hosting an information and discussion panel focused on the ongoing consultation by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority at the Pembrokeshire show this month. This event is designed to provide a platform for knowledge exchange, and gather feedback on the proposed changes.

Event Information:

  • Date: 14th August
  • Time: 11:30 – 12:30
  • Venue: CLA Cymru Stand (A22), Pembrokeshire County Show
  • Free Parking: Available at Pembrokeshire County Show
  • Booking: Register online or on the day
  • Cost: Free of charge (note: no show entry tickets provided)

We look forward to welcoming both members and non-members to the event and encourage anyone affected to participate in the online consultation as soon as possible.

Our Policy and Engagement Advisor Sarah James is the CLA Cymru point of contact for members who have any enquiries.

For more information and to get involved, please contact CLA Cymru at wales@cla.org.uk. Book your place online here or call 01547 317085.

If you would like to Sponsor or host future events then please contact our Events ManagerSarah.Davies@cla.org.uk

Key contact:

Sarah James
Sarah James Policy and Engagement Adviser, CLA Cymru