The exemption means landowners don't need planning permission to allow DofE groups to camp

Bosses of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award are hoping even more of its youngsters will be able to use greenfield sites after it gained an renewal of the easing of legal restrictions on camping.

The DofE said Natural England had granted a camping exemption certificate for the charity’s participants.

This means landowners who offer their facilities for youngsters undertaking their expeditions will not need a site licence from the local authority or planning permission.

The certificate, which covers England, covers DofE participants and their adult leaders and runs until October 2018.

The organisation said it should allow a number of greenfield sites to offer camping to more DofE participants than before.

The exemption was granted under the Public Health Act.

A DofE spokesperson said: “This should prove to be of great benefit to a number of campsites that solely accommodate DofE groups, enabling them to welcome more groups to their sites across the year.

“At this stage it should be noted that the exemption currently only covers England. A second exemption application for Wales has been submitted, while in Scotland there is no requirement to hold such a licence.”

Young people undertaking the DofE Award have to complete expeditions of two, three or four days, with camping overnight an obligatory part of the venture.