THE rise of the staycation trend plus new regulations during the pandemic, could offer a lucrative business opportunity.

Farmers and landowners could earn up to £7,000 per day by opening a temporary campsite during the holiday season, according to new figures from Pitchup.com.

New regulations that allow land-based businesses in England to operate a campsite without planning permission for 56 days, have now been extended to 2021 – described as 'a real boom’ for the rural economy.

Previously, rural businesses could only operate a campsite for 28 days without planning permission, but this was extended in June last year to help the post-Covid recovery.

One business that knows the benefits offering outdoor accommodation can bring is Cliff Farm Holidays, in Sinnington.

Owners Rob and Hannah Scaling manage a herd of more than 60 sucklers cows and grow around 120 acres of winter wheat, beans and spring barley.

Rob’s grandmother started with a caravan site around 50 years ago, and then his mum and dad continued to run it as a small operation after that.

When Rob took over the family farm 10 years ago, he saw the potential of outdoor accommodation and decided to commercialise that side of the business. The couple now have a 32-pitch caravan site along with a glamping barn and two static caravans, which they run alongside the farm.

Rob said: “We had a massive response when we went on Pitchup; we noticed over night that lots of bookings were coming in.

“As a result, we had one of the best summers on record. This summer is looking good too.

“Pitchup is very easy to manage and with talk of staycations being massive this year, and probably for the foreseeable future as people are less keen on travelling abroad, having that extra help to manage bookings is very welcome.

“We’ve provided accommodation for many years, but with changes in agriculture coming from lots of different directions, I can see why it is becoming such an attraction for farmers, even if it is just a temporary campsite.”

Rob says that they are creating more attractions this year, including walks around the farm where guests can get away from it all.

“The farm is run separately from the caravan park, but some guests are really interested to find out more about what we,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity to tell them more about how farming shapes the countryside everyone loves so much.”

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, said the government’s decision to maintain the 56-day ruling throughout 2021 was a real boom for the rural economy.

“Staycations have seen a surge in popularity over recent years and in the light of COVID-19, this trend will only get stronger,” he said.

“At the same time, agriculture is facing a less certain future as the Basic Payment Scheme is phased out from this year, meaning farm incomes could fall.

“Temporary campsites are a fantastic way of generating significant extra revenue with very little investment and next to no disruption to day-to-day business operations.

“And with sites able to operate for 56 days without planning permission throughout 2021, they’re a lifeline for struggling land-based business as well as a shot in the arm for remote rural economies.”