Caravan and camp site licences

The term caravan also includes motor homes, static holiday homes and residential park homes.

If you want to have a number of caravans on your land you will need to have planning permission and a Caravan Site Licence.

There are some exemptions. You do not need a licence if:

• Forestry workers, builders, travelling showmen or seasonal workers (like fruit pickers) stay in caravans on the site
• The site is five or more acres and there are three or fewer caravans there for 28 days or less a year
• You're a member of an organisation like a caravan club and have a caravan exemption certificate
• Your site is approved by an organisation with a caravan exemption certificate
• Members of an exempted organisation stay in their caravans on the site
• Your site is used for a social get-together of caravan club members (a 'rally')

If you want to have a number of tents pitched on your land you will need to have planning permission and a Camping Licence.

There are some exemptions. You do not need a licence if:

• Forestry workers, builders, travelling showmen or seasonal workers (like fruit pickers) stay in tents on the site
• The site is five or more acres and there are three or fewer tents there for 28 days or less a year
• You're a member of an organisation like the Scouts and have an exemption certificate
• Your site is approved by an organisation with a camping exemption certificate
• Members of an exempted organisation stay in their tents on the site

Once you have planning permission allowing you to use your land as a caravan or camping site, you should complete one of the following:

• Caravan Site Licence application form (PDF) [46KB] (opens new window)  
• Camping Site Licence application form (PDF) [58KB] (opens new window)

You will be required to successfully apply for the 'Fit and Proper Person Register' which will expire after five years, and a new application will be required. 

Please note that if you cannot fully complete the online application form nor provide the supporting documentation we cannot continue with the application. 

A fee is payable for the inspection and licensing of residential caravan sites (park homes). Please see the Mobile Homes Act section of our current Fees and charges document for full details.

Your licence will continue as long as:

• Your planning permission is valid
• You meet the conditions of your licence
• You pay all site inspection fees to the Council on time

We have the right to vary the conditions of your licence at any time.

You must notify us of any changes to the number of caravans or tents, site layout, facilities or change of operator.

You will need to resubmit an application form with details and the appropriate fee.

If you are applying to transfer the licence you must provide written consent from the current licensee.

We will investigate any complaints we receive about your site.

If you don't hold a valid licence or you breach the conditions we may:

• Prosecute you
• Withdraw your licence
• Make you carry out essential work or carry out the work and recharge our costs to you