Rapid increase of UK pop-up campsites raises environmental concerns

Relaxation of planning regulations has led to rise in temporary campsites but campaigners are worried about cost to nature

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

A surge in the number of pop-up campsites planning to open this summer has raised environmental concerns in the Lake District and other tourist hotspots.

Short-term, back-to-basics campsites have proliferated since last year’s government relaxation of planning regulations for landowners, a move intended to help rural communities recoup income lost to the Covid pandemic.