The Caravan Sites 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.
A caravan is any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved from one place to another (whether by being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer) and any motor vehicle so designed or adapted, but not railway rolling stock which is for the time being on rails forming part of a railway system, or a tent.
If you want to site a caravan on land you need a licence unless one of the following exceptions applies:-
- Incidental use within the curtilage of a dwelling house;
- Single caravan used by a person for not more than two nights and 28 days in 12 months;
- Holdings of five acres or more, if not more than 28 days in 12 months, and a maximum of three caravans at any time;
- Sites occupied and supervised by [PDF Image] exempted organisations;
- Sites approved by exempted organisations for up to five caravans;
- Meetings organised by exempted organisations;
- Agricultural and forestry workers;
- Building and engineering sites;
- Travelling showmen;
- Sites operated and owned by a local council, county councils or regional councils.