Clarification On Changes Issued After Social Media Confusion

National park members have issued a clarification statement to tackle “inaccurate social media information” on the Article 4 direction to remove permitted development rights for 28-day rule camping ahead of a formal decision in May.

In December, members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park approved the making and publicising of an Article 4 (1) Direction to remove permitted development rights for 28-day rule camping, caravans and/or mobile homes across the whole of the National Park, with non-immediate effect.

This was followed by an opportunity for formal representations to be made, which closed in mid February, members of the March meeting of the national park heard.

A formal decision, along with a full report, is to be received at the May 7 meeting of the authority.

A report for members stated: “During this period the Authority has received a number of inquiries about how an Article 4 (1) Direction would operate.  There has also been a degree of inaccurate information circulating on social media.”

It added: “Members of the Authority will be asked to take a formal decision on whether to confirm the notice of the Article 4(1) Direction along with a full report of consultations at the May 2025 National Park Authority meeting.  However, ahead of this meeting Officers consider that it would be helpful to clarify the parameters that any Article 4 (1) Direction would operate within.  This clarification has also been requested from some businesses operating within the National Park.

“The National Park Authority will consider in full the responses to the consultation on Article 4 (1) Direction in its May meeting, however following questions raised during the consultation, Officers consider that it would be helpful to provide clarification in advance of that meeting on how any Article 4 (1) Direction would operate if confirmed in May.”

The clarification statement says the proposed restrictions “will apply only to 28-day camping, caravan, and mobile home sites”.

It adds: “Other temporary 28-day uses – including filming, temporary car parks, and mobile saunas – will not be affected. Additionally, exempted certificate sites and bodies operating under exemption certificates will continue to operate as usual.”

The statement also says that “camping and caravan use connected to other permitted temporary events, such as weddings, festivals, filming, or agricultural shows, will not require additional planning permission,” adding: “In assessing whether camping is ancillary to an event, the Authority will consider factors such as licensing, advertising, site usage proportions, and event duration.

“To assist landowners and site operators, the Authority will offer a free pre-application service for those seeking to submit planning applications under the Article 4 (1) Direction. The clarification note also provides guidance on the information required for planning applications.”

Members unanimously backed the publication of the clarification ahead of the May meeting.