Caravan Sites

Holiday and static caravan sites are licensed and inspected.

The purpose of the Caravan Sites Act is to protect the health and safety of residents (both permanent and visitors) of caravan sites by requiring the sites to be licensed and to comply with basic standards.

Licensing Requirements

A Caravan Site Licence is required if a caravan is stationed on land for the purpose of human habitation.

Information about Caravan Site Licences

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
• sites occupied 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.

A licence can only be issued if the site has the correct planning consent. An established use certificate does not give entitlement to a licence.  The consent may limit use to particular types of caravans eg self-propelled caravans where there is difficulty over access.  In these cases the licence will contain the same restrictions.

A caravan site can include tents and, on touring sites, the licence normally allows a small tent alongside a caravan to be counted as a single unit.  If the site does not have planning consent for caravans, a licence for tents can be granted under the provisions of the Public Health Act.

Application for a Caravan Site Licence

An application for a Caravan Site Licence must be in writing and must specify the land it relates to, it must also contain prescribed particulars and preferably be on the standard application form. This specifies the requirements of plans etc. If the licence is not issued within two months, the site can operate without a licence until one is issued.

Licence Conditions

Section 5 of the Caravan sites and Control of Development Act allows a Local Authority to impose conditions in the interest of the persons dwelling in the caravans, or of any other class of persons, or of the public at large.

The conditions can include:-

• the type of caravan, e.g. 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 four or more vans are permitted on the site, there must be a condition requiring a copy of the licence to be displayed on the site.

Reasons for Conditions

• The numbers may be limited to have regard to planning or highway considerations to maintain amenity or privacy.
• Seasonal use may be required as a planning condition to prevent residential use of sub-standard accommodation, or to preserve the quiet amenity of the area during closed periods.
• Spacing of the caravans is predominantly for fire consideration, but privacy and noise nuisance are also factors.
• Road surfaces are covered to prevent danger and dust nuisance.
• The minimum distances from sanitary disposal points etc is to prevent nuisance and improve hygiene.
• The site name must be displayed for easy identification by emergency services.

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 to the Licensing Unit at the address below including the correct details.

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 in completed accompanied by a site plan at 1:500 scale showing the layout of roads, caravans and facilities.

Note: It is not possible to issue a Caravan Site Licence unless the appropriate planning permission is granted.

Government has issued revised Model Standards for residential caravan sites. The new Model Standards update those issued in 1989 and reflect changes in legal requirements, most notably in relation to fire safety.

The Model Standards represent what is normally to be expected as a matter of good practice on caravan sites (except holiday sites), and can be read here  (611.47 KB)

Anyone suffering nuisance due to noise, smells or similar because of a commercial premises should contact the Environmental Protection team to see if we can help (email environmental.health@wychavon.gov.uk, phone 01386 565233).

Grant of a licence doesn't mean that we've given planning permission: consent under town and country planning law may still be required. Please contact our Planning Services on 01386 565445.