Caravan site licensing
Most camping and caravan sites will need a licence.
This includes:
- holiday sites
- camping sites
- mixed holiday and residential sites
- sites for mobile homes, static caravans, and touring caravans
- sites used exclusively by Gypsies and Travellers
- single caravans or mobile homes lived in by the owner of the land, and not available for hire or commercial gain.
Licences set out:
- what type of caravan is allowed at the site (such as residential, towing, static holiday)
- how many caravans per hectare
- the spacing between vans
- what water supply, drainage, washing and toilet facilities are needed
- what fire precautions are needed
- information on gas and electrical safety.
If you have stayed at a caravan site and want to make a complaint you should do this directly with the owner of the site. Citizens Advice can offer you further support with complaints.
Caravan site 'Fit and Proper Persons'
The Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020 introduce a fit and proper person test for mobile home site owners or the person appointed to manage the site. The purpose of the fit and proper person test is to improve the standards of park home site management.
The Regulations were made on 23 September 2020 and allow local authorities to prepare to receive applications from site owners by 1 July 2021. From that date and by 1 October 2021, all site owners must have submitted an application to be assessed as fit and proper persons:
Caravan site 'Fit and Proper Person' public register
Please note that if requested to do so we must supply a copy of the public register or an extract from it. However, everyone has rights with regard to the way in which the data on the register is handled and details cannot be used for marketing purposes or without the consent of the individuals listed on it.
Apply for a caravan site licence
You will need to download and complete an application form for a caravan site licence if you are already a site owner or you are a potential owner. You can do this through the Gov.UK website.
There is a fee for this application and you'll need to give copies of planning permission for the site, a scale plan of the site, and your details as the site owner.
You can download the application, complete it in your own time, and then come back to the online form when you are ready to upload your application.
Apply for a caravan site licence
Transferring a caravan site licence
Licences are transferable to new owners but we must approve this. There is a fee to pay to transfer an application.
You can download the application, complete it in your own time, and then come back to the online form when you are ready to upload your application.
Transfer a caravan site licence
Making changes to a caravan site licence
If you need to make changes to your licence you will need to let us know. You can do this online and there will be a fee for changes.
You can download the application, complete it in your own time, and then come back to the online form when you are ready to upload your application.
What to do if your application fails
If we reject your application or you want to appeal against conditions on the licence you have 28 days from our written decision.
Your appeal should be made to the local Magistrate but you should speak to us about your application and reasons for rejection or conditions first.
Other ways to apply for, transfer or make changes to a caravan site licence
You can apply by contacting us by:
- telephone: 01623 457205.