Wealden District Council licences camp sites for holiday use for people staying in tents. The landowner or camp operator must apply for a camp site licence when they offer camping for more than 42 consecutive days in the year or a total of 60 days at any time in the year. The use of the land as a camping site for more than 28 days in total of any calendar year requires planning permission.
As the Country is now following the Governments COVID-19 recovery roadmap HM Government has extended these rights for temporary uses of land, which includes campsites, cumulatively, from 28 days up to 56 days for 2021. This means that a landowner can place tents on land for up to 56 days and will not require planning permission for 2021 only. For full details please visit The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (legislation.gov.uk)
A camp site licence will not be issued if planning permission has not been granted for this purpose. Planning permission may be granted by either Wealden District Council or South Downs National Park. To check if you live in the SDNP please go to Planning Applications – South Downs National Park Authority
Camp site licences are issued under the Public Health Act 1936, you can view our conditions here:
Campsite (tents) standard licence conditions
There is no fee for a camp site licence.
Regulation
The Public Health Act 1936 Section 269 gives the local authority the power to licence camp sites and provides exceptions for seasonal agricultural workers and other specific circumstances, for full details go to Public Health Act 1936 (legislation.gov.uk)
Tacit Consent
Tacit consent does not apply to Camping Site Licences.
It is in the public interest that we process your application before it can be granted.
If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this online using the contact details below.
How to Apply
You can apply for an Camp Site Licence:
- By downloading our Caravan and Camping Licence Application Form (pdf) and returning it to us at foodhs@rother.gov.uk.
Licence holder and failed application redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to their licence or is refused a licence can appeal to their local Magistrates’ court.
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 a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked gov.uk can offer advice on Consumer Protection Rights (external link)
Trade Associations
You may find the following organisations useful:
British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) (external link)