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Caravans and Camp Sites

To run a caravan and camping site you need a licence from the local authority.

The legal definition of a caravan site is "...land on which a caravan is stationed for the purposes of human habitation and land which is used in conjunction with land on which a caravan is so stationed".

Planning permission is required before a licence can be applied for. Please contact Planning for further information if you do not have planning permission and wish to apply for a licence.

The purpose of the licence is to protect the health, safety and welfare of caravan occupants and to address issues such as fire safety, electrical safety, drainage, adequate amenities and a wholesome water supply. There is no fee for the licence.

It is an offence for an occupier of land to cause or permit any part of his land to be used as a caravan site, without holding a site licence. On summary conviction, this offence carries a penalty of up to £2,500.

However, there are many instances in which a site licence is not required. Section 2 of the Caravan sites and Control of Development Act 1960 summarises the exemption categories as follows:

Use within the curtilage of a dwelling house.
Use by a person travelling with a caravan for one or two nights.
Use of holdings of five acres or more in certain circumstances.
Sites occupied and supervised by exempted organisations.
Sites approved by exempted organisations.
Meetings organised by exempted organisations.
Agricultural and forestry workers.
Building and engineering sites.
Travelling showmen.
Sites occupied by Licensing Authority.
Gypsy sites occupied by County Councils.

Conditions may be attached to a licence to cover any of 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 types of caravans on the site
controlling the positioning of the caravans or regulating the use of other structures and vehicles including tents
to ensure steps are taken 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

Licences will not be issued to applicants who have had a site licence revoked within three years of the current application.

Regulation Summary: A summary of the eligibility criteria for this licence

Applications must be in writing, should detail the land the application concerns and any other information required by the local authority.

Will Tacit Consent apply?: Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.

To apply online

To apply online you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader version 9 or later. This is available to download free here. [link: http://tryit.adobe.com/uk/acrobat9/?sdid=EKBXD ]

Application for a caravan and camping site licence

Failed application redress: If a licence holder is refused an application to alter a condition they may appeal to the local Magistrates' court . The appeal must be made within 28 days of the written notification of the refusal and a notice of appeal must be served on the Council.

Licence holder redress: If a licence holder wishes to appeal against a condition attached to a licence they may appeal to the local Magistrates' Court or. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the licence being issued.

The Council may alter conditions at any time but must give licence holders the opportunity to make representations about the proposed changes. If a licence holder disagrees with the alterations they may appeal to the local Magistrates' court. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the written notification of the alteration and a notice of appeal must be served on the local district council.

Consumer complaint: We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Relevant trade bodies:

	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)

If you have any queries on caravan site licensing matters please contact the Private Sector Housing Team by phoning 01993 861060 or use the online service also available on the right of this page.