Caravan site licence

The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 requires land to be used as a caravan site to be licensed by us. A licence is necessary for the protection of public health and safety and to ensure that health and safety regulations are adhered to, eg adequate amenities are provided and fire precautions are in place.

A caravan site includes any place where a caravan (including mobile or ‘park’ home) is situated and occupied for human habitation, including touring sites and single sites.

Exemptions listed under Schedule 1 of the Caravan Sites Act

A caravan sited within the curtilage of a dwelling and its use is incidental to the dwelling. This means it can't 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 five caravans certified by an exempt organisation and which are for members only
Sites occupied by us – 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
A site for tents can only be used for a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months

Licence conditions

Licences have conditions which include:

The type of caravan eg residential, static holiday or touring
The permitted density (the number per acre/hectare) and the spacing between caravans
Water supply and drainage; lavatory and washing facilities
Fire precautions and electrical installations

Licence conditions don't cover issues that relate to the agreement between site owner and occupier. We do have powers to take action against site owners who harass or illegally evict site occupiers. Your licence will last as long as you’ve got planning permission for the caravan site.

60 day rule criteria for campsites (known as pop-up sites)

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2023

Camping for 60 days in any calendar year, but not more than 42 consecutive days, for up to 50 pitches including provisions for motor vehicle designed or adapted for human habitation (campervans and motorhomes) and movable structures reasonably necessary for that use (movable toilets, showers, utility rooms etc.). There is no requirement to remove movable structures between uses.

Prior notice is required to the Local Planning Authority each year setting out the dates, site plan and provisions for waste.

Am I eligible to apply for a caravan site licence?

If you're a caravan site owner/manager you should have a licence already but you should check that your name, the site name and address is correct and up to date. Also check that the licence corresponds with your planning permission. If not, you should send us the licence for re-issue. If you've recently become a caravan site owner/manager licences are transferable to a new owner but the law requires us to give consent for the transfer. You should send us the licence with a request for transfer and we'll either endorse or re-issue it. You'll find notes relating to licences for caravan sites attached to this page.

What is it for?

To permit the use of land as a caravan site. A licence is necessary for the protection of public health and safety and to ensure that health and safety regulations are adhered to, eg adequate amenities are provided and fire precautions are in place.

How much will it cost?

This is no cost for this licence.

What will I need before I apply?

Site plan at 1:1500 scale showing the layout of roads, caravans and facilities
Fee
You must have planning permission for the caravan site before you apply for a licence.

Do I need to do anything else?

Planning permission must be sought and granted before we'll consider an application for a caravan site licence. An established use certificate doesn't give entitlement to a licence. Planning consent may limit use to particular types of caravans, eg self-propelled caravans where there is difficulty over access. In these cases the licence will contain these same restrictions.

Download the form, complete it on your home computer, and email it to licensing@shropshire.gov.uk

Download an application form

Download the form, print it out, fill it in and post your application along with the fee if applicable to:

The Licensing Team, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6ND