Caravan and campsites

To run a caravan and camping site you need a licence from the local authority.

Conditions may be attached to a licence to cover any of the following:

• restricting when caravans can be on the site for human habitation or restricting the number of caravans that can be on the site at any one time
• controlling the types of caravans on the site
• controlling the positioning of the caravans or regulating the use of other structures and vehicles including tents
• to ensure steps are taken enhance the land, including planting/replanting bushes and trees
• fire safety and fire fighting controls
• to ensure that sanitary and other facilities, services and equipment are supplied and maintained

Eligibility criteria

The applicant must be entitled to use the land as a caravan site. Licences will not be issued to applicants who have had a site licence revoked within three years of the current application.

Application forms

Use the links below for the following online application forms.

• Apply to run a caravan site or camp site
• Tell us about a change to your existing caravan or camp site
• Transfer your caravan and camp site licence

You can download a PDF forms using the following links.

• Application for a caravan site licence

Regulation summary

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence.

Application evaluation process

Applications for site licences are made to the local authority in whose area the land situated. Applications must be in writing, should detail the land the application concerns and any other information required by the local authority.

Will tacit consent apply?

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 (which is 28 working days from the date your application is received by the council).

Failed application redress

In the first instance please contact:

Housing, Amber Valley Borough Council, Town Hall, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3BT
Tel: 01773 570222
E-mail: housing@ambervalley.gov.uk

If a licence holder is refused an application to alter a condition they may appeal to the local Magistrates' court or, in Scotland, the Sheriff. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the written notification of the refusal and a notice of appeal must be served on the local district council.

Licence holder redress

In the first instance please contact:

Housing, Amber Valley Borough Council, Town Hall, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3BT
Tel: 01773 570222
E-mail: housing@ambervalley.gov.uk

If a licence holder wishes to appeal against a condition attached to a licence they may appeal to the local Magistrates' Court or, in Scotland, the Sheriff. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the licence being issued.

The local district council may alter conditions at any time but must give licence holders the opportunity to make representations about the proposed changes. If a licence holder disagrees with the alterations they may appeal to the local Magistrates' court or, in Scotland, the Sheriff. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the written notification of the alteration and a notice of appeal must be served on the local district council.

Trade associations

• British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA)
• Federation of Tour Operators (FTO)
• Group Travel Organisers Association (GTOA)
• Hotel Marketing Association

Register

The register can be viewed at the town hall during normal office hours:
09:00 - 16:30 (Mon-Fri)
10:00 - 16:30 (Wed)

Conditions

Caravan and camp site licences are usually issued with conditions which relate to:

• the type of caravan site (residential, static holiday or touring);
• the number of caravans allowed per hectare (called the permitted density);
• the spacing between caravans;
• water supply, drainage, lavatory and washing facilities; fire precautions and electrical installations.

If you are considering buying an existing caravan site you must make sure you are satisfied that the site complies with any conditions related to the planning consent for the site.

Exemptions

You do not need a licence to run a caravan site if one or more of the following apply:

• forestry workers, builders, travelling showmen or seasonal workers (like fruit pickers) stay in caravans on the site
• the site is 5 or more acres and there is a maximum of 3 caravans on site for no more than 28 days per year
• the caravan is on the grounds of a home and you use it as part of the home
• a single caravan is located in the same place for no more than 2 consecutive nights for a maximum of 28 days in any 12-month period
• your site is occupied and supervised by an exempt organisation
• your site is approved by an exempt organisation
• your site is used by an exempt organisation for a meeting of its members which lasts less than 5 days
• your site is used for a social get-together of caravan club members (a 'rally')

You may need a licence for sites with:

• permanent holiday caravans
• touring caravans
• permanent residential caravans

Contact the team directly on 01773 841335 or email eh-housing@ambervalley.gov.uk