
Camping: Planning rules could force festivals to leave Wales
Festival organisers say they could be forced to move in 2026 because of new rules to control temporary campsites.Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority members have supported plans that will force landowners to apply for planning permission for pop-up campsites which can exist for up to 28 days a year.Festival organiser Amber Lort-Phillips said her "Big Retreat" wellbeing festival may have to move to England in 2026.The authority said the new rules were designed to "create a level playing field" and claimed they had "strong support".
Under current rules, land owners can open temporary campsites in Wales under "permitted development" for up to 28 days a year.In England, it is 60 days, and the Welsh government will soon consult on extending the period in the rest of Wales.The Pembrokeshire park authority is the only one in Wales to plan tighter restrictions since tougher rules were drawn up for Gower in 1977.The two other national parks in Wales have no plans to change the 28-day rule.
Although there will be no effect on festivals with temporary campsites in 2025, Ms Lort-Phillips fears her four day well-being festival in Lawrenny, which brings an estimated £1m to the local economy, could have to move next year."It's essential. We couldn't run without our permitted development, because it's how we run our campsite."The impact is we might have to move it. It's our home for the Big Retreat and it's not fair. We are potentially having to look at other sites and move the festival outside of Wales."She claimed there was "no real evidence" for a blanket approach and there was no guarantee temporary campsites would get planning permission.The National Park said it "aims to prioritise applications" to minimise delays.
The Pembrokeshire authority's chief executive, Tegryn Jones, told BBC Wales there was "no control" over temporary campsites and they took up 12% of the authority's enforcement time.He said pop-up campsites led to a "stream of complaints" and they were "seeking to take a small measure to even the playing field".
The measures have been supported by Ben Carden from the Woodlands Champions Club which runs 16 sites in Pembrokeshire."Quite often, there are serious implications with pop-up campsites," he said."There can be noise nuisance for local residents. I attended one pop-up campsite that had over 200 pitches and which had just three toilets and one washbasin."There needs to be a standard of camping."
Joe Worley who runs Westival, a music festival based in Manorbier which attracts about 2,500 visitors every June, said he had not "received any direct consultation".The change which "came as a big shock", he said."The [2026] event wouldn't be able to go ahead without the campsite. If we couldn't get planning permitted on that particular field, that could mean moving to a new site," he said."It feels quite damaging to a lot of businesses."
The authority said 120 people responded to a public consultation, which equates to about 0.5% of the park's population of 23,000.Many were complaining about the effect on landscape, biodiversity, pressure on local infrastructure and noise.But Ms Lort-Phillips criticised the consultation process and said the measures would harm "economic development" in the park.Mr Jones said he "did not accept that".
Dai Williams set up a temporary campsite on his land near Druidstone in 2021 to provide extra income which he said had a "fantastic response" from visitors.He argued that the park's plans were a "knee-jerk" reaction to the post-Covid surge in visitors, warning that the new regulations might "shut down" businesses.A further consultation is being held until 21 February with a final decision expected in the spring. The changes are due to come into force on 1 January 2026.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Western Telegraph
an hour ago
- Western Telegraph
Land value tax in Wales could replace council tax and rates
The former first minister said the Welsh Government continues to explore the feasibility of LVT as used in countries such as Denmark and Singapore. Professor Drakeford has long supported a LVT, arguing those who have the privilege of ownership should pay something back for that privilege. LVT is levied on the value of the land rather than the property itself. Proponents argue LVT is easier to collect, more efficient and difficult to avoid, while discouraging speculation and encouraging people to bring idle land back into use. Professor Drakeford told the Senedd: "I am anxious to see this discussion move beyond the theoretical and into the realms of the practically possible. He explained that the Welsh Government has invited tenders to test approaches to valuing land, with submissions for every aspect of the work. The finance secretary said: "I want to use the coming months to test the boundaries of what might be possible in the next Senedd term. "Let's open the door to more radical, fundamental and progressive reform in the future." He added: "The current system is unfairly weighted against those who experience difficulty in paying. "I want to shift the focus from harmful escalation towards supportive prevention." He stated ministers will introduce a new council tax appeals process by April 2026 that will be "easier to navigate and provide a better, modern system for taxpayers". Peter Fox agreed that council tax is regressive by nature "and that it will never really become a fair local tax". Mr Fox accused the Welsh Government of increasing tax on families "by stealth" through underfunding councils which, in turn, pass on the shortfall to people. He called for reform of the "outdated and flawed" funding formula. Professor Drakeford replied: "Almost every local authority in Wales will agree that the formula needs revision – nobody can agree on how that should be done. "The 22 local authorities each believe that the formula uniquely disadvantages them."

South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Nigel Farage and the thousands funding Reform UK's campaigns
The big donors included Bassim Haidar, the Nigerian-born Lebanese entrepreneur who gave the Tories more than £670,000 under Rishi Sunak, was there, as was Arron Banks, the former UKIP donor who spent millions campaigning to leave the European Union. Farage was given a rousing introduction by Oswald's owner, clubland impresario Robin Birley, who donated £25,000 to Reform a few weeks before the general election. Reform reportedly took in more than £1m that night at Oswald's in an event that was part of a wider strategy of attracting big money. 'Reform is where the money is going now,' says former Conservative donor Mohamed Amersi, having paid £25,000 to attend the Oswald's fundraiser. Using millionaire money England to fight the Welsh Senedd election, using English-developed policies and with an English MP as its current leader and main campaigner in Wales. A long way from being the man of the working classes. Andrew Nutt, Bargoed


Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Who won Race Across the World today? BBC final recap
See which of the four teams managed to win Race Across the World series 5 🏃♂️ Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Race Across the World has crowned the winners for series 5. The winning pair walks away with the grand prize after the final leg. But which team made it to the last checkpoint first? The fifth winners of Race Across the World have been crowned after a rollercoaster final on the BBC. The remaining teams faced one last dash to reach the last checkpoint on a truly mammoth journey. After eight weeks - and around 14,000km - four pairs successfully completed the journey from the Great Wall of China to Kanyakumari in India. It is an incredible journey that has taken them across two of the most populous countries in the world - via Nepal. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, all good things must come to an end, as they say. The final of Race Across the World's fifth series took place tonight (June 11) and just over seven hours separated the top three teams heading into the last leg. But which of the pairs managed to run out as victors at the end of the race? Here's all you need to know: Who won Race Across the World series 5? Race Across the World series 5 finalists | BBC Heading into the final leg of the mammoth race from China to the bottom of India, mother and son duo Caroline and Tom were in the lead. They reclaimed the top spot at the end of last week's seventh leg - as then-leaders Brian and Melvyn saw themselves tumble to the bottom of the leader board after opting for the rural route and avoiding Mumbai and falling 17 hours behind. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Caroline and Tom had a nearly seven hour lead over sisters Elizabeth and Letita. Young Welsh couple Fin and Sioned were ever so slightly further behind at seven hours and 48 minutes - having clawed back from a 33 hour deficit earlier in the season. It set things up for a dramatic final dash across the southern states of India. But who made it to Kanyakumari first? Caroline and Tom were the first to reach the last checkpoint and thus were crowned winners of Race Across the World series five. What does the winner of Race Across the World get? The winning couple walk away with a £20,000 jackpot - as well as bragging rights of course. It has been the same prize since the show began back in 2019. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fortunately for fans, the show is not completely over as there is still one episode left in the season. Race Across the World will be back next week (June 18) with a reunion special that will reunite the five teams six months after the end of the race. It promises unseen footage, behind-the-scenes insights and plenty more. Find out how to watch it here. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.