Future of temporary recreational campsites in the Lake District

Motion Text

That this House notes that, at its meeting on 30 September 2026, the Lake District National Park Authority Committee was presented with proposals for an Article 4 Direction removing permitted development rights for temporary recreational campsites; further notes that the officer's report referred to complaints and concerns about campsites in Newlands, despite there being only one temporary recreational campsite there; also notes that, during the meeting, the Head of Development Management stated that Above Derwent Parish Council had made significant reports over an extended period about the impact of sites in Newlands; notes that the Parish Clerk has subsequently stated that the Council has received no reports for at least two years, that reports were received when pop-up campsites first began operating, and that the Council has queried the information presented by the officer; notes that the operators of the sole temporary campsite in Newlands state that neither the Parish Council nor the Authority has notified them of complaints or concerns about their site; is concerned by the discrepancies between the accounts of the Authority, Parish Council and campsite operators; believes that members must receive accurate, current and properly evidenced information before determining proposals that may restrict rural businesses; and calls on the Authority urgently, before any decision is taken, to identify the reports relied upon, clarify their dates and whether they related to the sole Newlands campsite, correct the public record where necessary, and ensure that Board members are not misled when considering the proposed Article 4 Direction.