Planning Permission for Static Caravans, Lodges, Mobile Homes & Granny Annexes
UK Holiday Homes Ltd has been providing caravans to the public for many years to site on private land for either recreational use or as a separate dwelling while building a house or saving for a mortgage.
We have always been involved in the planning permission side for these units, so with our vast experience we have decided to offer this to our new customers in an easy to find help guide on our web site, you will find below the definition of a Static Caravan, Lodge or Mobile Home to help answer a few questions before you make the decision to buy from us.
We offer our services right from the word go and can help you through every stage of the planning process with our dedicated team of planning consultants who stretch to the 4 corners of the United Kingdom.
What is the Definition of a Caravan?
The term ‘caravan’ is defined in the Caravan Sites and Control Act 1960 as:
“Any structure designed or adopted 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 so designed or adapted does not include:
- any railway, rolling stock which is for the time being transported on a motor vehicle or trailor and
- any tent.”
The definition was further clarified by the Caravan Sites Act 1968 which defines the detail of a twin caravan:
“A structure designed or adapted for human habitation which: is composed of not more than two sections separately constructed and designed to be assembled on a site by means of bolts, clamps or other devices; and when assembled, physically capable or being towed by road from one place to another (whether by being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer).”
Town and Country Planning SI. 2006 No.2374 amends the definition of the caravan within the Social Landlords (Permissible Additional Purposes) (England) Order 2006 (meaning of caravan) and the Caravan Sites Act 1968. It states that dimensions must not exceed 20m in length, 6.8m in width or exceed a maximum internal height of 3.05m.
What is Permitted Development?
In some cases a caravan can be stationed on land without the need to obtain planning permission under The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended. These are called “permitted development”. Whether or not your proposal will be classed as permitted development depends on a number of factors. These include what you want to do and where, and the constraints on and around your property. Some examples of permitted development rights for caravans, where permission will not normally be required are:
Within the curtilage of a dwelling
A caravan may be parked on a drive or in the curtilage of a dwelling provided it is being used incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house. There must remain a relationship between the caravan and the house. If it is used as a separate dwelling or hired out (e.g. for holidays) this is likely to involve a material change in the use of the land to which planning permission will be required.
Siting on Agricultural Land of 5 acres or more
Land comprising at least 5 acres can be used as a caravan site providing that in the past 12 months there has been no caravans on the land for more than 28 days; there have been no more than 3 caravans at any one time.
Agricultural and Forestry Workers
Agricultural land can be used as a caravan site to accommodate people being employed in farming work provided the work is seasonal and not an activity which occurs at regular intervals throughout the year. The caravan(s) must be moved at the end of the season. If a caravan is to be maintained on land permanently planning permission will be required.
Building or Engineering Works
Land can be used as a caravan site to accommodate people taking part in authorised building works on the same adjoining land. The caravans must only be used to house workers and be removed once the building works have been completed.