Caravan and Camping Sites

CARAVAN AND CAMPING SITE LICENCES

Introduction

Caravan sites and sites for tents/pods and other moveable dwellings (wood cabins) must be licensed and comply with licence conditions. Exemptions are available for certain reasons e.g.:-

storage of unoccupied caravans,
use of a caravan as additional accommodation for an existing dwelling,
caravans or tents used only for short periods,
sites run by recognised national caravan organisations
sites for agriculture or forestry workers or showmen.

Summary of legislation

Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 – this Act covers the licensing of caravan sites and the safety, welfare and management conditions which need to be complied with.

Caravan Sites Act 1968 – deals with protection from eviction from residential sites and the maximum dimensions of caravans.

The Mobile Homes Act 1983 – this Act covers the civil law between site owners and residents on ‘protected sites’. A protected site is one which has planning permission for permanent residential use and has been issued with a site licence.

Public Health Act 1936 s269 – this Section empowers the Council to set and enforce licenses and conditions relating to tents and other moveable dwellings.

The first two are enforced by the Council but the Mobile Homes Act may involve Residential Property Tribunals or County Court action by residents or site owners themselves to resolve any disputes.

Who needs to notify/apply

The occupier of the land will need to apply for a site licence for caravans or camping. The landowner must have the relevant planning permission for the site prior to being granted a licence. Licences wil not be issued to applicants who have had a site licence revoked within 3 years of the current application.

How long will it take to consider the notification/application?

Applications for site licences are made to the Council in whose district the land is situated.

Applications must be in writing and detail the land to which the application refers. It must be accompanied by other information detailed in the application and a site plan at 1:500 scale. The Council can only issue a licence for a new caravan site after it has received confirmation of the necessary planning permission and a completed application form. Once these have been received, and are satisfactory, the Council will aim to complete consideration of the application within 40 working days.

The Council will also consider applications for the transfer of an existing licence. These will be processed and a licence re-issued as appropriate within 10 working days.

How much will it cost to notify/apply?

There is no charge for licensing or transferring a licence.

Will tacit consent apply?

No – it is in the public interest that the Council must process the application before a licence can be granted. If you have not heard from the Council within 20 working days in the case of an application, or within 5 working days in the case of a transfer, please contact the Council – contact details are shown below.

How do I apply?

You can apply for the issue of, or the renewal of, a site licence, or a transfer, by using the contacts listed below.

You can apply for a licence or licence transfer either online or by using a printable application form through the following:-

apply for a licence to run a caravan site or camping site (online)
apply for the transfer of a licence (online)
apply for a caravan site licence (printable)
apply for a camp site licence (printable)
apply for the transfer of a site licence (printable)

Each application refers to site licence conditions. These are available here:-

Holiday Conditions

Permanent Conditions

Tent Conditions

but may be amended to suit the particular circumstances at individual sites. These conditions generally cover the following:-

restricting when caravans can be on the site for human habitation or restricting the number of caravans that can be on the site at any one time,
controlling the type of caravans on the site
controlling the positioning of the caravans or regulating the use of other structures and vehicles including tents
ensuring steps are taken to enhance the land, including planting/replanting bushes and trees
fire safety and fire fighting controls
to ensure that sanitary and other facilities, services and equipment are supplied and maintained.

The Council may alter conditions at any time but will consult site owners and residents or their associations before making any changes.

If my application is refused, how do I appeal?

You may appeal against any condition attached to a licence to a magistrates’ court. If a licence holder is refused an application to alter a condition, they may appeal to a magistrates’ court.

What if I have a complaint or concern about the process?

Contact us in the first instance at the address below. Otherwise, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Public register?

All licensed caravan and camping sites are listed. This list can be obtained by contacting the address below.

For further information

Several trade associations are connected with the caravan and campsite industry – some are listed below:-

Association of Caravan and Camping Exempted Organisations (ACCEO)
British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA)
British Resorts and Destinations Association
Caravan Industry Training (CITO)
Federation of Tour Operators (FTO)
Group Travel Organisers Association (GTOA)
Hotel Marketing Association
National Caravan Council (NCC)

For information about holiday sites in this area contact Tourist Information here.

Before purchasing a permanent caravan or Park Home, it is strongly recommended that you contact a solicitor before entering into any agreement to buy. You are also advised to check the national park home residents’ associations listed below:-