Certified Campsites and Temporary Events: Permitted Development and impacts on Special Areas of Conservation
Whilst tented campsites now face planning control as a result of the Article 4(1) Direction introduced on 1st January 2026, campsites operating under exemption certificates and temporary events such as weddings, festivals, filming, or agricultural shows operating under the ‘28-day’ rule are not affected by the Article 4(1) Direction.
These permitted development (PD) rights allow certain changes to buildings or land without the need to apply for, and obtain, planning permission from the Local Planning Authority. However, PD rights may be restricted in certain protected areas (for example, National Parks and conservation areas) and for listed buildings. It is always advisable to seek advice from the Authority before carrying out any works that you consider may be permitted development.
Development affecting Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) place additional requirements on development carried out under PD rights. In particular, where a proposal is likely to have a significant effect on a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or a Special Protection Area (SPA), development must not proceed until written approval has been obtained from the Local Planning Authority.
This is of particular relevance to permitted developments within nutrient-sensitive Special Areas of Conservation catchments where development may cause:
- additional nutrient inputs and/or
- new/additional foul drainage flows.
Within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, this includes the Milford Haven Inner (Pembrokeshire Marine SAC) freshwater catchment which is currently at risk due to chemical and biological failure.
Further information on SAC locations and designated features is available from:
- Data Map Wales: Special Areas of Conservation (Special Areas of Conservation) | DataMapWales
- Natural Resources Wales: Natural Resources Wales / Find protected areas of land and sea
What you need to do
If your proposal is considered permitted development:
1. Seek advice from Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
Contact NRW with a clear description of your proposal and request their opinion on whether it is likely to have a significant effect on a SAC (in accordance with Regulations 75–77).
If NRW concludes there is no likely significant effect, their opinion can be treated as conclusive. You should provide a copy of this response to the Local Planning Authority.
2. Provide supporting information
You will need to include the following information to NRW:
- Foul water and grey water management (e.g. from washbasins, showers and kitchens)
- Location, timing and duration of the proposal (including set up and take down time)
- Whether any temporary watercourse crossings will be required
- Whether any public access to watercourses is proposed e.g. for swimming, paddling, canoeing, novelty races etc
3. If impacts cannot be ruled out
If Natural Resources Wales consider a likely significant effect cannot be ruled out, you must obtain written approval from the Local Planning Authority prior to proceeding with the development (including events).
An application for written approval to the Authority must include:
- Completed application form
- Evidence showing why you consider there to be no adverse effects on the integrity of the Special Areas of Conservation and
- Appropriate supporting information and relevant mitigation measures.
- A £33 fee applies
Assessment process
Your submission to the LPA will inform the Authority’s Appropriate Assessment which will be carried out in consultation with NRW before a decision is made.
The accompanying form and flowchart devised for temporary events and certificated camp sites will guide you through this process.
Further guidance
The HRA process is a requirement of Regulations 75-77 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended)
Further guidance is contained on pages 69-73 of the Welsh Government’s Technical Advice Note (TAN) 5 Technical advice note (TAN) 5: nature conservation and planning | GOV.WALES. This includes a useful flow chart in Figure 2 of Annex 5.
To find out more about Article 4(1) guidance, click here
