• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home Expert advice
This article appears as part of a paid partnership with Armstrong Watson

8 things for farmers to consider about pop-up campsites

By Jonathan York, accounting director, Armstrong Watson

by CWH
31 May 2023
in Expert advice, Farm and Countryside
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a renewed demand for domestic holidays which has presented an opportunity for farmers and landowners to tap into a new income stream in the form of a pop-up campsite.

These temporary sites helped prevent the need for people to wild camp when demand outstripped supply, and those listed on the campsite booking website Pitchup.com are estimated to have brought £25m to the rural economy over the last year. In the current cost-of-living crisis, the popularity of camping holidays is likely to continue.

Pop-up campsites can currently operate for 28 days a year. In 2020 the Government introduced a temporary permitted development right to allow the temporary use of land as a commercial campsite for twice as long, without the need to apply for planning permission.

This expired in December 2021, however, a consultation has just ended on permanently extending the right to allow pop-up campsites to operate for up to 60 days per calendar year, with up to 30 tents at any one time. This does not allow for the siting of caravans, motorhomes and campervans.

The proposed development right broadly aligns with the licensing regime as you do not need a licence to run a campsite if it operates on fewer than 42 consecutive days, or fewer than 60 days in any 12-month period.

If you would enjoy welcoming campers to your farm, there are some things to consider:

1. Location

Carefully consider the most appropriate site. It needs to be an accessible, flat field away from neighbouring properties. It must not be near a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or any historic site.

2. Environmental impact

While there is no requirement for an environmental assessment to be carried out for pop-up campsites, landowners must act responsibly. To protect the environment, limit the number of tents, ask campers to avoid lighting campfires and provide bins to prevent littering.

You will need to ensure the use of the land as a pop-up campsite does not disturb any natural features or wildlife habitats.

3. Tenancy and land agreements

If you do not own the land on which the campsite is to be situated, you will need to check if this is permitted by your tenancy agreement. If this only permits agricultural use, then you could be in breach, and run the risk of the landlord bringing the tenancy to an end. If you are in doubt, seek advice from your solicitor or land agent.

4. Facilities

Portable toilets, a handwashing area and fresh water will be needed for campers. Mats, particularly in gateways, may also be needed on wet ground and you will need to arrange for rubbish to be taken away.

5. Risk assessments and insurance

A full risk assessment must be carried out before any temporary site can open to ensure the safety of visitors. You’ll also need to be fully covered for public liability insurance before welcoming guests. This can usually be provided by your land insurer.

6. Opening times

Under permitted development rights, temporary campsites can open for 28 days a year. This doesn’t have to be a continuous period. You might choose to open at peak times such as weekends and school holidays, giving you the breaks in between to focus on other business needs.

7. Pricing

Offering your pitches at the right price could be the difference between a lucrative temporary income stream or time wasted on getting everything in place to find you have no take-up. Research other sites in your area to ensure your prices are competitive.

8. Tax

VAT needs careful consideration and will usually be payable on any campsite fees charged. This needs to be accounted for when pricing your pitches.

Taking land out of agricultural use for two months should not result in losing Agricultural Property Relief for Inheritance Tax purposes, provided it goes back to being grazed by livestock afterwards.

Jonathan York

If you’re considering a pop-up campsite to bring in new revenue to your business and would like to speak to one of our specialist agricultural advisers please call Jonathan York on 01228 690000 or email Jonathan.york@armstrongwatson.co.uk

Related Posts

Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?
Expert advice

Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

22 June 2025
Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure
Expert advice

Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

21 June 2025
Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown
Expert advice

Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

15 June 2025
Carbon audit produces positive results for North Sheep host family
Farm and Countryside

Carbon audit produces positive results for North Sheep host family

13 June 2025
How can businesses combat increased pressure on cashflow and profitability?
Expert advice

How can businesses combat increased pressure on cashflow and profitability?

8 June 2025
Farmers flock to North Sheep
Farm and Countryside

Farmers flock to North Sheep

6 June 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

20 June 2025
Looking back through the archives

Looking back through the archives

20 June 2025
Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

20 June 2025
Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

20 June 2025
Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

22 June 2025
Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

20 June 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald