Licence - caravan site
The Caravan and Control of Development Act 1960 prohibits the use
of land as a caravan site unless the occupier holds a site licence
issued by the local authority.
There are some exceptions:
- A caravan sited with the curtilage of a dwelling and its
use is incidental to the dwelling. This means it cannot be occupied
separately.
- A single caravan sited for not more than two consecutive
nights for a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months.
- Up to three caravans on a site of not less than five acres for
a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months.
- Sites occupied by exempted organisations such as the Caravan
Club.
- Sites of up to 5 caravans certified by an exempt organisation
and which are for members only.
- Soccupied by the local authority. These are usually gypsy
sites.
- Sites for temporary and special purposes such as caravan
rallies, agricultural and forestry workers, building and
engineering sites and travelling salesmen.
- A site for tents only can be used for a maximum of 28 days in
any 12 months.
Licence conditions
Licences have conditions which include:
- The type of caravan, for example residential, static
holiday or touring.
- The permitted density (the number per acre/hectare) and the
spacing between caravans.
- Water supply and drainage; lavatory and washing
facilities.
- Fire precautions and electrical installations.
If you are a caravan site occupier - you should
have a licence already but you should check that your name, the
site name and address is correct and up to date. Also check that
the licence corresponds with your planning permission. If not, you
should send us the licence for re-issue.
If you have recently become a caravan site
occupier - licences are transferable to a new occupier but
the law requires us to give consent for the transfer. You should
send us the licence with a request for transfer and we will either
endorse or re-issue it.
If you are a potential site occupier - you or
your legal advisor should check that all the land used for siting
caravans has planning permission and that the details correspond
with the site licence. If you wish to change the use of the land to
a permanent caravan site use you must have planning permission
before a licence can be issued.
Applying for a licence
An application must be completed accompanied by a site plan at
1:500 scale showing the layout of roads, caravans and facilities.
Please use the contact details to the top right for further
information or to apply for a licence.