Article 4 Planning Restrictions in Pembrokeshire National Park

Article 4 in Pembrokeshire National Park refers to a legal direction that removes certain permitted development rights (PDRs)—specifically, the ability for landowners to establish temporary campsites and caravan sites without full planning permission. PDRs are designed to provide flexibility for rural businesses, allowing them to diversify and generate income without unnecessary bureaucracy. However, by revoking these rights, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has created additional planning barriers for landowners and tourism businesses. This decision undermines rural enterprise, restricts sustainable tourism opportunities, and adds costly and time-consuming planning processes for businesses that rely on seasonal visitor income.

At the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority’s meeting on 11th December 2024, it was agreed that the National Park Authority will invoke Article 4 (1) Direction for 28 day use of land for camping, caravans and/or mobile homes and development of a Code of Conduct for Exempted Organisations.

Introducing the Article 4 Direction will allow the Authority to require planning permission for temporary 28-day camping, caravan and mobile home sites. Their reasoning is to ensure that their location and operation are carefully managed to protect the National Park’s unique environment. However, their are clear counter productive implications that concern our members.

Last year we responded to the first consultation, where we opposed the introduction of an Article 4 direction. This second consultation response will reiterate our previous points.

We will be responding online to the second consultation here. The closing date is the 21st Feb.

Why it's important

The caravan and camping industry is essential to the stability of the rural economy, especially when land management priorities are changing drastically. More than ever, farming businesses are in search of diversification ventures for additional on-farm incomes, to support a volatile industry. In addition, the industry is vital to ensuring the National Park’s duty to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities.

Rural tourism is a significant driver of economic activity in Wales. It generates income and employment opportunities for local residents, helping to diversify rural areas beyond traditional sectors like agriculture and forestry. Due to agricultural transition, changing weather patterns and advances in technology, farm diversification is at the forefront for many agricultural and rural businesses. Farm diversification is crucial for several reasons and has the opportunity to support not only a farm business but also the local community, local economy and provide a betterment to the environment. It must be enabled cost effectively and with minimal administrative burden.

Pressures on Tourism

Despite the contribution the tourism sector makes, it is under increasing pressures from regulation changes and cost of living impacts. These include the introduction of the 182 minimum days for holiday lets, the ongoing concern and uncertainty on the introduction of the tourism tax, uncertainty and delays with the planning system, the business rates system, and a lack of clarity of post-European Union (EU) investment funding.

This PDR (Permitted Development Right) provides CLA members with a vital opportunity to diversify their landholdings and contribute to the rural economy and tourism industry. In July 2023, Pitchup.com estimated that 34% of holidays in Wales involved camping or caravanning, compared to just 20% in England and 21% in Scotland, and that demand for camping holidays in Wales had increased by a third as compared 2022).

There are numerous sites within the National Park that operate appropriately under the existing PDR, removing this right would penalise those individuals through the requirement of a planning application but will not penalise those acting unlawfully.

The CLA shows concern regarding the need to obtain planning permission due to:

• the speed in which planning applications are processed.
• the speed of statutory external consultee responses to planning applications.
• the interaction between planning departments and other local authority departments.
• the lack of understanding of proposals forming planning applications and the wider impact of planning decisions.

Whilst we appreciate that the National Park wants to wrestle back control, there needs to be a balance between protecting the park and having a vibrant economy to enable the park to survive.

Furthermore, changes to exempted activities would mean that short term activities which are very seasonal and all tourism related, will be discouraged.

We urge CLA members who are located within the National Park, to respond to the consultation individually. If you require any further information or have case studies, then please contact Policy Advisor Emily Thomas who is leading this project.