Wealden District Council
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Multiple Residential Caravan Sites

New sites or those that have been substantially redeveloped

1.  The Boundaries and Plan of the Site

  • The boundaries of the site from any adjoining land shall be clearly marked by a man made or natural
  • No caravan or combustible structure shall be positioned within 3 metres of the boundary of the site.
  • (a) A plan of the site shall be supplied to the local authority upon the application for a licence and, thereafter whenever there is a material change to the boundaries or layout of the site, or at any other time on the demand of the local
(b) The plan supplied must clearly illustrate the layout of the site including all relevant structures, features and facilities on it and shall be of suitable quality.

2.  Density, Spacing and Parking Between Caravans

  • Except in the case mentioned in sub paragraphs (ii), (iv) and subject to sub paragraph (v), every caravan must where practicable be spaced at a distance of no less than 6 metres (the separation distance) from any other caravan which is occupied as a separate residence.
  • Where a car is to be parked between units, caravans are to be spaced at a distance of no less than 7metres (the separation distance). The car is to be positioned at least 3 metres from the adjacent caravan which is occupied as a separate
  • No caravan shall be stationed within 2 metres of any road or communal car park within the site or more than 50 metres from such a road within the
  • Where a caravan has retrospectively been fitted with cladding from Class 1 fire rated materials to its facing walls, then the separation distance between it and an adjacent caravan may be reduced to a minimum of 25 metres.
  • In any case mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (iv):
  • A porch attached to the caravan may protrude one metre into the separation distance and must not exceed 2 metres in length and 1 metre in depth. The porch must not exceed the height of the caravan. Where a porch is installed only one door may be permitted at that entrance to the home, either on the porch or on the home.
  • Eaves, drainpipes and bay windows may extend into the separation distance provided the total distance between the extremities of two facing caravans is not less than 5 metres, except where sub paragraph (iv) applies in which case the extension into the separation distance shall not exceed 25 metres.
  • Any structure including steps, ramps, etc (except a garage or car port), which extends more than 1 metre into the separation distance shall be of non-combustible construction. There should be a 4.5 metre clear distance between any such structure and any adjacent
  • A garage or car port may only be permitted within the separation distance if it is of non-combustible construction.
  • Windows in structures within the separation distance shall not face towards the caravan on either side.
  • Fences and hedges, where allowed and forming the boundary between adjacent caravans, should be a maximum of 1 metre
  • Private cars may be parked within the separation distance provided that they do not obstruct entrances to caravans or access around them and they are a minimum of 3 metres from an adjacent caravan.
  • The density of caravans on a site shall be determined in accordance with relevant health and safety standards and fire risk

3.  Roads, Gateways and Overhead Cables

  • Roads shall be designed to provide adequate access for emergency vehicles and routes within the site for such vehicles must be kept clear of obstruction at all
  • New roads shall be constructed and laid of suitable bitumen macadem or concrete with a suitable compacted
  • All roads shall have adequate surface water/storm
  • New two way roads shall not be less than 3.7 metres wide, or if they are designed for and used by one way traffic, not less than 3 metres wide.
  • One-way systems shall be clearly
  • Where existing two way roads are not 3.7 metres wide, passing places shall be provided where practical.
  • Vehicular access and all gateways to the site must be a minimum of 3.1 metres wide and have a minimum height clearance of 7 metres.
  • Roads shall be maintained in a good
  • Cable overhangs must meet the statutory

4.  Footpaths and Pavements 

  • Every caravan shall be connected to a road by a footpath with a hard surface which shall be maintained in good condition.
  • Where practicable, communal footpaths and pavements shall not be less than 0.9 metres wide.

5.  Lighting

Roads, communal footpaths and pavements shall be adequately lit between dusk and dawn to allow the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicles around the site during the hours of darkness.

6.  Bases

  • Every unit must stand on a concrete base or hard-standing.
  • The base must extend over the whole area occupied by the unit, and must project a sufficient distance outwards from its entrance or entrances to enable occupants to enter and leave safely. The hard standings must be constructed to the industry guidance, current at the time of siting, taking into account local

7.  Maintenance of Common Areas, including Grass, Vegetation and Trees

  • Every part of the site to which the public have access shall be kept in a clean and tidy
  • Every road, communal footpath and pavement on the site shall be maintained in a good condition, good repair and clear of
  • Grass and vegetation shall be cut and removed at frequent and regular
  • Trees within the site shall (subject to the necessary consents) be
  • Any cuttings, litter or waste shall be removed from the immediate surrounds of a pitch.

8.  Supply & Storage of Gas etc

  • Gas (including natural gas) and oil installations, and the storage of supplies shall meet current statutory requirements, relevant Standards and Codes of
  • Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders must not be positioned or secured in such a way as to impede access or removal in the event of an

9.  Electrical Installations 

  • On the site there shall be installed an electricity network of adequate capacity to meet safely all reasonable demands of the caravans and other facilities and services within it.
  • The electrical network installations shall be subject to regulation under current relevant legislation and must be designed, installed, tested, inspected and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the current relevant statutory
  • Any work on electrical installations and appliances shall be carried out only by persons who are competent to do the particular type of work being undertaken, in accordance with current relevant statutory
  • Any work on the electrical network within the site shall be done by a competent person fully conversant with the appropriate statutory requirements.

10.  Water Supply

  • All pitches on the site shall be provided with a water supply sufficient in all respects to meet all reasonable demands of the caravans situated on
  • All new water supplies shall be in accordance with all current legislation, regulations and relevant British or European
  • All repairs and improvements to water supplies and installations shall be carried out to conform with current legislation and British or European
  • Work on water supplies and installations shall be carried out only by persons who are qualified in the particular type of work being undertaken and in accordance with current relevant legislation and British or European

11.  Drainage and Sanitation

  • Surface water drainage shall be provided where appropriate to avoid standing pools of
  • There shall be satisfactory provision for foul and waste water drainage either by connection to a public sewer or sewage treatment works or by discharge to a properly constructed septic tank or cesspool approved by the local
  • All drainage and sanitation provision shall be in accordance with all current legislation and British or European Standards.
  • Work on drains and sewers shall be carried out only by persons who are qualified in the particular type of work being undertaken and in accordance with current legislation and British or European standards.

12.  Domestic Refuse Storage & Disposal

  • Where communal refuse bins are provided these shall be non-combustible and housed within a properly constructed bin
  • All refuse disposal shall be in accordance with all current legislation

13.  Communal Vehicular Parking

Suitably surfaced parking spaces shall be provided to meet the requirements of residents and their visitors.

14.  Communal Recreation Space

On sites where it is practical to do so, suitable space equivalent to about one tenth of the total area of the site shall be allocated for recreational purposes, unless in the local authority’s opinion there are adequate recreational facilities within a close proximity to the site.

15.  Notices and Information

  • The name of the site shall be displayed on a sign in a prominent position at the entrances to the site together with the current name, address and telephone number of the licence holder and manager and emergency contact details, a copy of the site licence or the front page of the said licence and details of where the full licence and other information required to be available under this standard can be viewed and between which times (if not displayed on the notice board).
  • A current plan of the site with roads and pitches marked on it shall be prominently displayed at the entrances to
  • A copy of the current site licence shall be available for inspection in a prominent place on the
  • In addition at the prominent place the following information shall also be available for inspection at the prominent place:
  • A copy of the most recent periodic electrical inspection
  • A copy of the site owner’s certificate of public liability
  • A copy of the local flood warning system and evacuation procedures, if
  • A copy of the fire risk assessment made for the site.
  • All notices shall be suitably protected from the weather and from direct

16.  Flooding

  • The site owner shall establish whether the site is at risk from flooding by referring to the Environment Agency’s Flood
  • Where there is risk from flooding the site owner shall consult the Environment Agency for advice on the likelihood of flooding, the depths and velocities that might be expected, the availability of a warning service and on what appropriate measures to

17.  Requirement to Comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The site owner shall make available the latest version of the fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for inspection by residents and when demanded, a copy of the risk assessment shall be made available to the local authority.

18.  Fire safety measures where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 does not apply (such as single unit sites and those sites solely occupied by family groups)

  • The standards in this paragraph only apply if the site is not subject to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Fire Points

  • These shall be located so that no caravan or site building is more than 30 metres from a fire Equipment provided at a fire point shall be housed in a weather-proof structure, easily accessible and clearly and conspicuously marked “FIRE POINT”.

Fire Fighting Equipment

  • Where water standpipes are provided:
  • The water supply shall be of sufficient pressure to project a jet of water not less than 5 metres from the
  • There shall be a reel that complies with the current British or European Standard, with a hose not less than 35 metres long, having a means of connection to a water standpipe (preferably a screw thread connection) with a water supply of sufficient pressure and terminating in a small hand
  • Hoses shall be housed in a red box and marked “HOSE REEL”. Access to the fire point shall not be obstructed or obscured.
  • Where hydrants are provided, hydrants shall conform to the current British or European
  • Access to hydrants and other water supplies shall not be obstructed or
  • Where standpipes are not provided or the water pressure or flow is not sufficient, each fire point shall be provided with water extinguishers (2 x 9 litres) which comply with the current British or European Standard.

Fire Warning

  • A suitable means of raising the alarm in the event of a fire shall be provided at each fire

Maintenance and Testing of Fire Fighting Equipment

  • All alarm and fire fighting equipment shall be installed, tested and maintained in working order by persons who are qualified in the particular type of work being undertaken and be available for inspection by, or on behalf of, the licensing authority or the Fire and Rescue
  • A record shall be kept of all testing and remedial action
  • All equipment susceptible to damage by frost shall be suitably

Fire Notices

  • A clearly written and conspicuous notice shall be provided and maintained at each fire point to indicate the action to be taken in case of fire. This notice should include the following:
“On discovering a fire:
  1. Ensure the caravan or site building involved is
  2. Raise the
  • Call the fire brigade (the nearest phone is sited at………. ).”