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Application Process 

The site licence is ordinarily issued automatically on application once planning permission has been obtained.

Where the applicant already has planning permission when they provide the particulars, the local authority must issue the licence within two months of the particulars being given. If planning permission is not obtained until later, the licence must be issued within six weeks of the permission being obtained. In each case the period may be extended by written agreement between the applicant and the local authority.

Generally, there is no expiry date for a site licence. However, if the relevant planning permission is for a limited period, the site licence must expire at the same time as the planning permission.

Transfer of the site licence

If a site licence holder ceases to be the occupier of the land, they may, with the local authority’s consent, transfer the licence to the person who becomes the occupier of the land.

Power of entry

Under Section 26 (1) of the Act, authorised officers of the Authority have the right to enter, at all reasonable hours (after having given twenty-four hours’ notice) land which is used as a caravan site or in respect of an application for a site licence has been made.

Tacit Consent

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.

The target time period is  28 calendar days.

Background and Eligibility Criteria

Site licences may only be issued after the relevant planning permission has been obtained for the site.

Section 29 (1) of the Act defines caravan as “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”.

Section 1 (4) of the Act states a caravan site is “land on which a caravan is stationed for the purposes of human habitation and land which is used in conjunction with land on which a caravan is so stationed”.

A site licence must not be issued by a local authority where, to the authority’s knowledge, a person holds a site licence which has been revoked less than three years before.

Exemptions

There are some exemptions where a licence is not required:

• A caravan sited with the curtilage of a dwelling and its use is incidental to the dwelling. This means it cannot be occupied separately
• A single caravan sited for not more than two consecutive nights for a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months. Up to three caravans on a site of not less than five acres for a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months
• Sites occupied by exempted organisations such as the Caravan Club
• Sites of up to 5 caravans certified by an exempt organisation and which are for members only
• Sites occupied by the local authority. These are usually gypsy sites
• Sites for temporary and special purposes such as caravan rallies, agricultural and forestry workers, building and engineering sites and travelling salesmen

Conditions 

Model standards have been published under the provisions of Section 5 (6) of the Act. The local authority is directed to have regard to the standards when deciding what (if any) conditions to attach to the site licence.

Fees

There is currently no fee payable for this process.

Supplementary Information 

The applicant will need to include details of the following in their application:

• the type of caravan site for which the licence is required – permanent, residential, seasonal or touring
• the maximum number of caravans that are proposed to be stationed on site at any one time for the purpose of human habitation
• details of the arrangements for refuse disposal and for sewage and wastewater disposal
• a layout plan of the site, to a scale of not less than 1/500, showing the boundaries of the site, the positions of caravan standings, and, where appropriate, the positions of roads and footpaths, toilet blocks, stores and other buildings, food and surface water drainage, water supply, recreation spaces, fire points and parking spaces

Offences and Penalties

Section 1(2) of the Act makes it an offence for the occupier of any land to cause or permit  any part of their land to be used as a caravan site unless they hold a current site licence in respect of the land.
 

Section 9 (1) of the Act makes it an offence for a site licence holder to fail to comply with any conditions attached to the licence. If the local authority is satisfied that a breach of a condition under a site licence has occurred, in the first instance it can instigate proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court.

If, after having been convicted of breaching site licence condition(s) on three or more occasions, a site licence holder continues to break conditions of the licence, the local authority may, instead of instigating further proceedings, apply to the Magistrates’ Court to have their licence revoked.

Where revocation is ordered, another licence may not be issued in respect of land to the same holder for at least three years.

Complaint and Other Redress

•  Failed Application Redress

  Please contact the Licensing Team in the first instance:

   

  Tel: 01446 709105

  Email: licensing@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

   

  Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

•  Licence Holder Redress
  Please contact the Licensing Team in the first instance:

   

  Tel: 01446 709105

  Email: licensing@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

   

  Any person aggrieved by any conditions to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

•  Consumer Complaint
  We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you, preferably in the form of a letter with proof of delivery. 

   

  If that has not worked and you are located in the UK Consumer Direct will be able to give you advice.    

   

  If you have a complaint from across Europe contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Regulations and Guidance