Park home, touring caravan and camp sites

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 (opens new window) 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.

Homeowners will often consider making improvements to their homes to enhance the cosmetic appearance and/or increase the space. Before undertaking improvements homeowners 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  Altering or extending your park home (PDF) [192KB] (opens new window)  factsheet.

• 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 homeowner's action, for example by positioning a shed in an in-appropriate location, the park owner may in turn address the issue with the homeowner
• in cases where a homeowner 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

Further information can be found at:

• GOV.UK: Collection Park homes - Information for park home residents in England on their rights and obligations under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (opens new window)
• Solve a residential property dispute (opens new window)

For existing sites, from 1 October 2021, unless the site is exempt, the site owner must:

• be a fit and proper person to lawfully operate a park home site, or
• have a fit and proper site manager in place

A site is exempt if it's "a non-commercial family occupied site". This is one: only occupied by members of the same family, and not being run on a commercial basis 

The regulations provide further detail about this exemption, see legislation.gov.uk: The Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020 (opens new window) for more details.

You can apply for the fit and proper person application by downloading the  Fit and Proper Person Application form (PDF) [363KB] (opens new window) .

You should save the document to complete and either return as a hard copy in the mail with the additional required information, or send by email to housingrenewal@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

With your application you will need to provide the original basic DBS certificate dated no more than 6 months before the date of the application. The DBS certificate must be from an approved supplier. You can arrange for a DBS check through GOV.UK (opens new window).

To be sure that the relevant person is a fit and proper person to manage the site, and to add them to the register, we will consider the following:

• the owners past compliance with the site licence
• the long term maintenance of the site and planned improvements
• whether the person has a sufficient level of competence to manage a site
• the management structure and funding arrangements for the site or proposed management structure and funding arrangements

We also consider whether the relevant person:

• has the right to work within the UK
•  has committed any offence involving fraud or other dishonesty, violence, arson or drugs or listed in Schedule 3 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (offences attracting notification requirements)
• has contravened any provision of the law relating to housing, caravan sites, mobile homes, public health, planning or environmental health or of landlord and tenant law
• has contravened any provision of the Equality Act 2010 in, or in connection with, the carrying on of any business
• has harassed any person in, or in connection with, the carrying on of any business
• has had an application rejected by any other local authority
• is or has been personally insolvent within the past 10 years
• is or has been disqualified from acting as a company director within the last 10 years

We also may consider the conduct of any person associated or formerly associated with the relevant person (whether on a personal, work or other basis), if it appears that the person's conduct is relevant. We can also consider any evidence on any other relevant matters.

Application for entry on the Fit and Proper Persons Register cost will be £225.00

Licensing FPP fees policy

The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 (opens new window) 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.

There are exemptions to the need for a site licence and planning permission.
For example if a landowner 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:

• The Caravan Club - Setting up a certificated location (opens new window)
• The Camping and Caravanning Club - Certificated sites (opens new window)
• GOV.UK: Caravan site licence (opens new window)

Under the Public Health Act 1936 (opens new window) 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.

There are exemptions to the need for a site licence and planning permission. For example if a landowner 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 :

• The Camping and Caravanning Club - Certificated sites (opens new window)
• GOV.UK: Camping licence (England and Wales) (opens new window)

If you would like further information please use our enquiry form.