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
three 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.