Forestry England cancels Bouldnor Forest glamping project

Forestry England has withdrawn its proposal to install temporary glamping cabins at Bouldnor Forest on the Isle of Wight. The plan, which involved a partnership with the company Unyoked, faced significant opposition from local residents and the Shalfleet Parish Council.

Opponents argued that the mobile cabins could threaten local wildlife and increase fire risks in a sensitive ecological site. A central point of contention was the use of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, which critics claimed allowed the project to bypass necessary planning permissions, environmental assessments, and public consultations through a legal exemption.

While the withdrawal marks a victory for local campaigners, Shalfleet Parish Council officials warned that the issue remains unresolved. They called for the closure of the caravan exemption loophole and better oversight to prevent similar developments from bypassing statutory protections in other sensitive landscapes across England.