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.
- 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.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must be entitled to use the land as a caravan
site.
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
Application Evaluation Process
Applications for site licences are made to the local authority
in whose area the land situated.
Applications must be in writing, should detail the land the
application concerns and any other information required by the
local authority.
Licence Conditions
Licences have conditions which 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 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.
Upon request we can e-mail a copy of your approved licence to
you.
Transfer of Existing Site License
Licenses are transferable to a new occupier but the law requires
the local authority to give consent for the transfer. The occupier
should send the licence with a request for transfer and the local
authority will either endorse or re-issue it. To apply to transfer
a caravan site licence you can contact the Licensing Team on
01502 562111 or
download an application for transfer of a
caravan 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.
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 (28
days).
Failed Application Redress
You are advised to take up any issue with the local authority
first.
If a licence holder is refused an application to alter a
condition they may appeal to the local Magistrates' court or, in
Scotland, the Sheriff. 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 local district council.
Licence Holder
Redress
You are advised to take up any issue with the local authority
first.
If a licence holder wishes to appeal against a condition
attached to a licence they may appeal to the local Magistrates'
Court or, in Scotland, the Sheriff. The appeal must be made within
28 days of the licence being issued.
The local district 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 or, in
Scotland, the Sheriff. 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 .
Other
Redress
E.g. about noise, pollution, etc. Also should one licence holder
complain about another.
Trade Associations
For further information use the contact details below:
E-mail:
licensing@waveney.gov.uk
Telephone: 01502 523620
Fax: 01502 589327
Top of
page