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More info
- Acts
- Licensing
- Application
- Is the licence granted automatically?
- What redress do I have if my application fails?
- What redress does the licence holder have?
- Can consumers complain about licence related issues?
- Trade Associations
- Choosing a Caravan to holiday in
- Choosing a Caravan to live in
The term caravan legally includes those which can be towed behind cars, motor homes, static holiday homes and the more modern residential park homes, which often arrive on site in two sections and are then bolted together.
Acts
The law covering caravans is contained in:
- Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 - This act covers the licensing of caravan sites and the safety, welfare and management conditions which need to be provided.
- Caravan Sites Act 1968 - This act deals with protection from eviction from residential sites and the maximum dimensions for caravans
- The Mobile Homes Act 1983 - This act covers the civil law between site owners and residents on ‘protected sites’. A protected site is one which has planning permission for permanent residential use and has been issued with a site licence (normally by Environmental Health)
The first two Acts are enforced by the Local authority but the Mobile Homes Act may involve County Court action by residents or site owners themselves to resolve any disputes.
Applications for site licences are made to the local authority in whose area the land is situated. Applications must be in writing, should detail the land the application concerns and any other information required by the local authority.
In order to be eligible to be issued a licence the applicant must be entitled to use the land as a caravan site. In addition licences will not be issued to applicants who have had a site licence revoked within three years of the current application.
The local authority can only issue a licence for a new caravan site after it has received the necessary planning permission and a completed application for a site licence.
It may also agree to the transfer of an existing licence to a new licensee.
Licence conditions are slightly different for residential sites, holiday sites, where the caravans are permanently sited but used for holidays (statics) and for touring caravans. The following standard conditions for each type of site are available from the Related Documents.
- Residential sites
- Static holiday sites
- Touring caravan sites
Anyone wishing to apply for a licence can apply online or alternatively an printable application form can be downloaded.
Apply - Caravan Site or Camp Site Licence (Online) 
Apply - Caravan Site Licence (Printable)
Apply - Transfer a Caravan Site Licence (Printable)
Please also tell us about a change to your existing caravan or camp site.by emailing housing.private.sec@torbay.gov.uk
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 type of caravans on the site
- controlling the positioning of the caravans or regulating the use of other structures and vehicles including tents
- ensuring steps are taken to 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.
Exemptions from licensing are available for certain reasons e.g.
- caravans used for short periods
- Sites run by recognised national caravan organisations
- agriculture or forestry workers and showmen
Once you have applied for a licence 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.
If you wish to check the progress of your application please contact the Housing Standards department.
You are advised to take up any issue with the local authority first.
If a licence holder is refused an application to alter a condition they may appeal to the local magistrates court. 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 council.
You are advised to take up any issue with the local authority first.
If a licence holder wishes to appeal against a condition attached to a licence they may appeal to the local Magistrates Court. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the licence being issued.
The council may alter condtions 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. 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 council.
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by the consumer – preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre
- Association of Caravan and Camping Exempted Organisations (ACCEO)
- British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA)
- British Resorts and Destinations Association
- Caravan Industry Training (CITO)
- Federation of Tour Operators (FTO)
- Group Travel Organisers Association (GTOA)
- Hotel Marketing Association
- National Caravan Council (NCC)
All holiday sites in the Torbay area are licensed with the Council and mostly run by national companies and are listed on the English Riviera website.
website.It is strongly recommended that you consult a solicitor before entering into any agreement to buy a park home.
The Council can only provide general information about any of its licensed sites. Please view Related Documents section below to see list of all Torbay Council’s licensed caravan sites.
You are also advised to check the national park home residents associations.
- National Association of Park Home Residents (NAPHRA) - NAPHRA represent existing park home residents’ associations.
- Park Home Residents Action Alliance (PHRAA) - PHRAA act for individual park home residents but also offer sound advice on their website for persons thinking about buying a park home.
- The Independent Park Homes Advisory Service (IPHAS) - IPHAS also represent existing park home owners.
Related Documents
All documents open in a new window. Need more help with documents? View the Document Help page.
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Park Home Factsheet - Residents Rights and Obligations
This factsheet has been published by Communities and Local Government concerning the rights and obligations of park home owners in England.
Last updated: 11/12/2009, 10:03am (367 KB) -
Residential Sites Standards Conditions
Standard Conditions for Residential Park Home Sites, Endorsed by The Devon Group of Chief Environmental Health Officers
Last updated: 23/12/2009, 4:26pm (82 KB) -
Touring Caravan Sites Standards Conditions
Standard Conditions for Touring Caravan Sites Standards Conditions.
Last updated: 23/12/2009, 4:26pm (37 KB) -
Static Holiday Sites Standards Conditions
Standard Conditions for Static Holiday Sites
Last updated: 23/12/2009, 4:26pm (45 KB) -
Licensed Caravan Sites
A list of Torbay's licensed caravan sites as at December 2009.
Last updated: 08/01/2010, 10:43am (65 KB)
Contact Housing Standards
- Tel: 01803 208025
- Email: housing.private.sec@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: 01803 208854
