Caravan and camping site licence
If you allow your land to be used as a caravan or camping site by the public for more than 42 consecutive days or 60 days in a year, you will require a licence.
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
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
The power to regulate and issue licences is contained in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 (external link to Office of Public Sector Information website).
If you are a land owner you must not allow your land to be used as a caravan site unless you hold a caravan site licence from your local authority.
Exceptions include:
incidental use within a house boundary
sites approved by organisations such as the caravan club
building and engineering sites
travelling showpeople sites
Application evaluation process
Applications for site licences are made to the local authority in whose area the land is situated.
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.
In accordance with subsection (4) of Section 269 of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 we will respond to the application within a period of four weeks otherwise it is deemed to have granted the licence unconditionally.
Apply online (external links)
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Failed application redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
Tel: 01730 234334 email: pshousing@easthants.gov.uk
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 EHDC.
Licence holder redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
Tel: 01730 234334 email: pshousing@easthants.gov.uk
If a licence holder wishes to appeal against a condition attached to a licence they may appeal to the local Magistrates' Court. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the licence being issued.
EHDC 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 EHDC.
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 (external link) will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre (external link).