NAKED campers have been holidaying in Ringwood for the last 50 years.

Naturist club, Avonvale Sun Club, has been operating from the campsite in Highwood Copse and earlier this year applied for a Certificate of Lawful Development to the New Forest Park Authority (NPA).

But it was rejected by planners claiming there was no evidence caravans had occupied part of the site for more than 10 years, which would have been a requirement.

If it had been accepted the application would legitimise the use of camping and caravanning by the club's members when they stay at the site, something they say they have already been doing for a long time.

Stripped of their right to legitimately camp on site, the naturists are now appealing the decision.

Avonvale Sun Club, which was established in the early 1960s, said in its appeal statement: "The extent to which the members sleep over when they visit fluctuates over time, dependent on levels of membership, the time of year and weather conditions, but it is certainly a common feature of the activities taking place here.

"The appellant believes that the time has come for formal recognition to be given to the fact that camping and caravanning by members when they come to the site to engage in its recreational facilities is entirely legitimate.

"The appeal has become necessary because the local planning authority, despite having first hand testimony from the Chairman of the Club (now the appellant) describing the nature of this use over the last ten years, have refused to grant the Certificate."

A spokesman for the NPA said: "The Avonvale Sun Club applied for a Certificate of Lawful Development for the existing use of some of the land for camping and caravanning, claiming that caravans had occupied part of the site for over 10 years.

"However, previous visits to the site, as well as documentation contained in earlier planning files, did not support this claim, so the certificate was refused in May this year.

"An appeal has now been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate which will be heard at a Public Inquiry."

Anyone who wants to comment on the naturists planning application needs to contact the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol by January 2016.