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It is legal requirement for owners of park home, caravan and camp sites to hold a licence issued by the council. Licences will vary slightly from site to site and they are required to be displayed by the licence holder on the site.
The licence will set conditions that cover a wide variety of health and safety standards relating to the site including the following:
Restricting when caravans, tents and other structures can be on the site for human habitation
Controlling the positioning of the caravans or regulating the use of other structures and vehicles
Fire safety and fire fighting controls
Ensuring that sanitary and other facilities, services and equipment are supplied and maintained.
Operating a site without a licence is an offence and the council will actively pursue the enforcement of the site licence conditions.
Before you apply for a licence, you will require planning permission and you are advised to contact the Planning department. If you are planning to apply for a licence, you can download the forms below or get them from your local council office.
You can also apply for the licences you need via the GOV.UK website.
The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, makes it a legal requirement for site owners to hold a licence issued by the council which will set conditions that cover a wide variety of health and safety standards
The government has issued guidance in the form of Model standard for touring sites in England
We would issue site licence conditions based on this guidance for new sites and when reviewing the conditions for existing sites
We will always prefer to work with site owners in a constructive way to improve sites where necessary and address any issues that arise
Where site owners refuse to co-operate, we have new powers under the Mobile Homes Act 2013 to take enforcement action for a breach of licence conditions. A compliance notice may be served upon a site owner to remedy poor conditions. If the notice is not complied with, the Local Authority may decide to prosecute
The Mobile Homes Act 2013 gives the site owner an opportunity to put things right before facing any prosecution. It also allows Local Authorities to enter sites in an emergency and fix the problems
To avoid common breaches of licence conditions, see park home sites: historic breaches of licence conditions and Thinking of altering or extending your park home which can be found in the download section
We are required under the Mobile Homes Act 2013 to keep and publish an up-to-date register of Park Home Rules. You can find details on our park home site register page.
Park home residents
Home owners will often consider making improvements to their homes to enhance the cosmetic appearance and/or increase the space
Before undertaking improvements home owners are advised to properly consider the permissions and other rules they need to comply with.
To find out further information about such permissions and rules, you can read our Thinking of altering or extending your park home factsheet which can be found in the download section.
If a park owner is in breach of a site licence condition, we may take enforcement action against the park owner
If the breach is as a result of the home owner's action, for example by positioning a shed in an in-appropriate location, the park owner may in turn address the issue with the home owner
In cases where a home owner takes action which infringes the licence conditions then they are also likely to be in breach of their pitch agreement and the park owner might consider enforcing the infringement
We are aware that residents may inadvertently take action that conflicts with the site licence conditions and has therefore issued the following fact sheet breaches of licence conditions which can be found in the download section.
We are aware that residents of park homes can experience occasional problems and difficulties associated with park home ownership. If you have a complaint about your park home site then you should in the first instance, contact the site owner or manager. It is always sensible to put matters in writing and keep a copy.
The resolution of park rules and other matters outside the scope of the site licence are between the resident and site owner/manager
If you are unable to resolve any such issues, you should seek advice from a solicitor or your local Citizens Advice Bureau
If you have tried liaising with the site owner and you are still experiencing difficulties, an arbitrator or the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) can legally settle a dispute
There are pros and cons in using either an arbitrator or the First Tier Tribunal and you may want to take legal advice before making your decision
The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 makes it a legal requirement for site owners to hold a licence issued by the council which will set conditions that cover a wide variety of health and safety standards. The government has issued guidance.
Please note that there are exemptions to the need for a site licence and planning permission. For example if a land owner registers with the Caravan Club or Camping and Caravan Club then they will be exempt. If you are thinking of setting up a site then it might, in the first instance, be worth considering registering with an exempt organisation. Further information can be found at:
Under the Public Health Act 1936 a site must not be used for the sitting of tents for more than 42 consecutive days or more than 60 days in any 12 months, without the benefit of a licence. In addition to this if the site is used for more than 28 days in a calendar year then planning permission would be required. If you wish to use your land as a tent site for longer than the days stipulated then you must apply for a site licence.
Please note that there are exemptions to the need for a site licence and planning permission. For example if a land owner registers with the Camping and Caravan Club then they will be exempt. If you are thinking of setting up a site then it might, in the first instance, be worth considering registering with an exempt organisation. Further information can be found at :
Wiltshire Council
Application caravan site licence [20.7KB]