What is a caravan?
A caravan is any structure that is designed or adapted for human
habitation which can be moved under its own power, towed, or
transported on a vehicle or trailer. Mobile homes and log cabins
within certain size restrictions are classified as caravans. For
more information contact the Private Sector Housing Team on
01394 444506 or email
ps.housing@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
Where can caravans be occupied?
All occupied caravans, whether for holiday or
residential purposes, should be located on a caravan site. There
are important exemptions but a caravan site should generally have
planning permission and a caravan site licence.
There are three major classifications of caravan site:
- Permanent residential mobile home sites.
- Holiday caravan sites (for statics).
- Touring caravan sites.
Sites can be for just a single unit of accommodation.
What are the exemptions?
Assume that you need planning permission and a caravan site
licence unless you are advised otherwise. The most usual exemptions
are for certificated locations (small sites for holiday use) and
temporary siting of an individual residential caravan during a
self-build project. Unless there are more specific restrictions you
can generally park a caravan at your home as long as it is not
lived in.
How do I get planning permission?
An application for
planning permission must be made to Suffolk
Coastal's Development Control Team.
How do I get a caravan site licence?
First you must have planning permission, this can be in the form
of a
certificate of lawful development. An
application for a caravan site licence must be made on the forms
issued by the Private Sector Housing Team. You can contact us on
01394 444506 or email
ps.housing@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
A caravan site licence must be issued before you start using the
site. There are conditions attached to the licence that are
specific to the site and must be met. These conditions are mainly
to control provision of facilities and some aspects of fire
safety. The conditions are based on model standards that are set by
central government. Certain restrictions to the planning permission
relating to periods of use, for example, are included in the
conditions attached to the site licence. You are given the
opportunity to comment on the proposed conditions as part of the
procedure.
Model standards for caravan sites
You can view the model standards by following the links
below.
Model standards for permanent residential mobile
home sites (new window PDF 607KB) - the conditions attached
to caravan site licences issued for permanent residential mobile
home sites are based on these model standards. Conditions
attached to a specific licence will vary according to the actual
circumstances, for example, the requirements for an individual
residential unit are not going to be the same as those for a
large mobile home site.
Model standards for holiday caravan sites (new
window - PDF 43KB) - the conditions attached to caravan site
licences issued for static holiday caravans are based on these
model standards.
Model standards for touring caravan sites (new
window PDF 17KB) - the conditions attached to caravan site
licences issued for touring caravans are based on these model
standards.
There is no charge for issuing a caravan site licence but
failures to have such a licence or to comply with the conditions
are offences.