New rules have been brought in to clamp down on pop-up campsites in the New Forest.

Previously, campsites with up to 50 tents could pitch up for up to 60 days without planning permission.

But now, that is set to change.

Gordon Bailey, Chair of the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) Planning Committee, said: "The New Forest has the highest proportion of land designated as internationally important for nature conservation in the country.

"It’s therefore vital we look after the very thing that people come to enjoy."

The new rules mean that campsites of up to 50 pitches will need planning permission on any land first used as a 'temporary recreational campsite' since March 1, 2020.

They will also need permission to pitch up for more than 28 days in total in a calendar year.

The NPA is doing this by using what is known as an Article 4 Direction.

The Direction was first used in the New Forest in 2022, in response to concerns from local residents, parish councils and other organisations around the number of temporary campsites operating in the National Park, their impact on local communities and the wider landscape and habitats of the New Forest.

In July 2023, the Government brought in rules which made it easier to set up a pop-up campsite.

So in October 2023, the authority made a new Direction with immediate effect, meaning certain pop-up campsites within the New Forest National Park needed to apply for planning permission to operate.

A consultation was held on this Direction in November and December.

The NPA received 128 responses to the consultation, with 92 per cent of respondents supporting the Direction.

This has now been brought in permanently.

Mr Bailey said: "With landowners now needing to apply for planning permission in certain circumstances this new Article 4 Direction will help protect our communities and protected habitats."

The National Park Authority has updated its guidance about planning applications for temporary campsites on its website.

Find out about the direction at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/Article4.