Licence summary
To run a caravan and camping site you need a licence from Falkirk Council.
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.
The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 prohibits the use of land as a caravan site unless the occupier holds a site licence issued by the local authority.
There are some exceptions:
- A caravan sited within the curtilage of a dwelling and its use is incidental to the dwelling. This means it cannot 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 5 caravans certified by an exempt organisation and which are for members only.
- Sites occupied by the local authority, these are usually travelling people 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 only can be used for a maximum of 28 days in any 12 months.
Licences will not be issued to applicants who have had a site licence revoked within 3 years of the current application.
Regulation summary
Application evaluation process
Applications for site licences are made to Falkirk Council where the land is situated in the Falkirk Area.
Applications must be in writing, should detail the land, the application concerns and any other information required by Falkirk Council.
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 Falkirk Council by the end of the target completion period.
How to apply
Applications should be accompanied with a site plan at 1:500 scale showing the layout of roads, caravans and facilities.
If you are a caravan site occupier - 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.
Tell us about a change to your existing caravan or camp site by completing the Application to change a caravan and camping site licence online form through Business Link (GOV.UK).
If you have recently become a caravan site occupier - licences are transferable to a new occupier but the law requires us to give consent for the transfer. You should send us the licence with a request for transfer and we will either endorse or re-issue it.
Transfer a caravan site or camp site licence by completing the Application to transfer a caravan and camping site licence online form through Business Link (GOV.UK).
If you are a potential site occupier - you or your legal advisor should check that all the land used for siting caravans has planning permission and that the details correspond with the site licence. If you wish to change the use of the land to a permanent caravan site use you must have planning permission before a licence can be issued.
Apply to run a caravan site or camp site by completing the Application for a caravan and camping site licence online form through Business Link (GOV.UK).
Failed application redress
You are advised to take up any issue with Falkirk Council first.
If a licence holder is refused an application to alter a condition they may appeal to the local sheriff, in Scotland.
The appeal must be made within 28 days of the written notification of the refusal and a notice of appeal must be served on Falkirk Council.
Licence holder redress
You are advised to take up any issue with Falkirk Council first.
If a licence holder wishes to appeal against a condition attached to a licence they may appeal to the local sheriff, in Scotland. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the licence being issued.
Falkirk 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 sheriff, in Scotland. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the written notification of the alteration and a notice of appeal must be served on Falkirk Council.
Consumer complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form of a letter. Please ensure you obtain proof of delivery.
If the outcome is still unsatisfactory, UK residents may contact Citizens Advice consumer service for further advice.
Residents from outside the UK can contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other redress
For example; complaints about noise, pollution, etc should be directed to the Environmental Protection Unit.