Planning Practice Note
Planning Guidance on Caravans
INTRODUCTION
Caravans are unusual in planning law as they are covered by more than one Act of Parliament and 2 separate (but linked) statutory processes.
Caravans are chattels and, like all vehicles, are not themselves subject to planning control. It is only their use and the use of the land on which they stand which are subject to planning control.
THE LAW
Caravans are dealt with in planning and environmental law by 3 Acts of Parliament.
The Town and Country Planning Act 1990
This contains the legal provisions for planning as a whole including the use and changes to use of land and buildings. It is referred to in this BVPN as the 1990 Act.
The Caravans and Control of Development Act 1960
This sets out the requirements for the system of licensing of caravan sites by Local Authorities (on which some of the planning requirements are based), the 1960 Act.
The Caravan Sites Act 1968
This amended the definition of caravan contained in the 1960 Act, the 1968 Act.
The framework for the law is as follows:
- With some exceptions (see below) the use of a caravan as habitation needs a caravan site licence under the 1960 Act.
- A site licence cannot be issued unless the site has either:
- planning permission from the LPA; or
- planning permission as permitted development through the General Permitted Development Order 1995; or
- a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC).
- If planning permission (or an LDC) has been issued a site licence must be issued.
- Both planning permission and site licence may be (and usually are) subject to conditions to preserve:
- the safety and living standards of the occupants;
- the amenity of the area;
- the environment.
This close relationship between the two regulatory regimes means that it is important that the issues affecting both are considered at the planning stage in the approval process.
DEFINITION OF CARAVAN
Reading the provisions of the 1960 Act and the 1968 Act together, the definition of caravan is:
- any structure designed or adapted for human habitation:
- of no more than 2 sections;
- maximum length 18.3 metres;
- maximum width 6.1 metres;
- maximum internal height 3.05 metres;
- when assembled is capable of being moved from place to place:
- by being towed; or
- by carriage on a lorry or trailer;
- any motor vehicle similarly designed or adapted.
CARAVAN SITES
Whenever a caravan is used for human habitation, the land on which it stands is a caravan site.
PLANNING PERMISSION AND CARAVAN SITE LICENCES
Subject to the exceptions listed below, caravan sites always needs both:
- planning permission;
- a caravan site licence.
Exceptions
The following exceptions have planning permission through the General Permitted Development Order 1995 and do not need a caravan site licence:
- persons travelling with caravans staying:
- on open land for no more than 2 nights in succession;
- for no more than 28 days per year in total on any one piece of land;
- no more than 3 caravans at a time on undeveloped land:
- on holdings of more than 2 hectares (5 acres); and
- for no more than 28 days per year in total;
- sites owned by exempted organisations;
- sites of up to 5 caravans certified by exempted organisations;
- exempted organisations may hold rallies;
- agricultural and forestry workers engaged in seasonal work;
- workers housed on building sites;
- travelling showmen while travelling.
Exempted organisations are:
- The Caravan Club;
- The Camping and Caravan Club;
- for the purpose of rallies, many similar clubs, too numerous to mention here.
All of the above exceptions are subject to the removal of the caravans form the site as soon as practicable after the permission or use has ended.
Caravans in domestic curtilages
A caravan sited in a domestic curtilage does not need planning permission or a site licence so long as it is used in connection with the use of the dwelling as a single dwelling. Occupation by a separate household always requires consent.
SITE LICENCE MODEL CONDITIONS
The Government has issued model conditions for caravan site licences (Circular 23/83). Site licence conditions are likely to cover the following issues:
- boundaries;
- spacing between caravans;
- roads, gates and footpaths;
- hard standings;
- fire fighting appliances;
- storage of LPG;
- electrical installations;
- water supply;
- drainage and sanitation;
- refuse disposal;
- parking;
- recreation space;
- otices.
APPLYING FOR PLANNING PERMISSION
Planning permission should be applied for in the usual way. Before making an application you should:
- ensure that your proposal meets all the planning policy standards;
- ensure that your proposal can meet all the likely requirements of the site licence.
A joint meeting with relevant staff can easily be arranged on request.
UNINHABITED CARAVANS
The following do not require planning permission:
- use of a caravan for agricultural storage (agricultural use is outside planning control);
- storage of single tourist caravan at its owner's own dwelling.
The following always need planning permission:
- storage of caravans;
- use of a caravan for any other purpose.
PLANNING POLICY
The Council's planning policy on caravans is as follows:
- the following are not normally permitted:
- residential caravan parks;
- extensions to existing residential caravan parks;
- residential caravans in the open countryside;
- tourist caravan sites not located near settlements with facilities for tourists;
- tourist caravan sites which would be detrimental to the conservation of the rural environment especially in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
- the following may be permitted subject to normal planning considerations:
- small scale tourist caravan sites where these are near facilities for tourists and are not obtrusive in the landscape or have access problems;
- single tourist caravans as farm diversification;
- single caravans used during DIY building projects (subject to time limitations).
© Copyright South Shropshire District Council,
Stone House, Corve Street,
Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1DG.
Tel: (01584) 813000
Fax: (01584) 813128
e-mail: planning@southshropshire.gov.uk
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Subscribe to changes to this page here.Author: Planning and Building Control. Last Updated: 13/2/2007.
