Site Licence Conditions for Static Caravan Sites
Based on Circular 14/89
A: Site Boundaries
i. The boundaries of the site should be clearly marked, for examples by fences or hedges. A plan of the site shall be supplied to the Council on application for a licence, or when there is a material change to the layout or if requested by the Licensing Authority. The plan must clearly illustrate the layout of the site including all relevant structures, features and facilities on it.
ii. Every caravan should not be less than 3 metres inside the site boundaries.
iii. Caravans may be stationed only in the position shown on that part of the land edged pink on the approved plan attached hereto.
B: Density
i. The density shall be consistent with safety standards and health and amenity requirements. The gross density should not exceed 60 units to the hectare, calculated on the basis of useable area (i.e. excluding crags, lakes, roads, communal services etc.) rather than the total site area.
C: Spacing between caravans
i. Every caravan shall not be less than 5 metres from any other caravan, 3.5 metres at the corners. Except that those with a plywood or similar skin it should not be less than 6 metres. Where there is a mixture of holiday caravans of aluminium and plywood, the separation distance should be 6 metres; and where there is a mixture of permanent residential homes and holiday caravans, the separation distance should again be 6 metres.
ii. Porches may protrude 1 metre into the 6 metres and should be of open type. The point of measurement for porches, awnings etc. is the exterior cladding of the caravan.
iii. Where awnings are used, the distance between any part of the awning and an adjoining caravan shall be not less than 3 metres. They should not be of the types which incorporate sleeping accommodation and they should not face each other or touch.
iv. Eaves, drainpipes and bay windows may extend into the 6 metres space provided the total distance between the extremities of 2 adjacent units is not less than 5.25 metres.
v. Where there are ramps for the disabled, verandas and stairs extending from the unit, there should be 3.5 metre clear space between them (4.5 metres if mixture of caravans) and such items should not face each other in any space. If they are enclosed, they may need to be considered as part of the unit and, as such, should not intrude into the 5 or 6 metre space.
vi. A garage, shed or a covered storage space should be permitted between units only it if is of non-combustible construction (including roof) and sufficient space is maintained around each unit so as not to prejudice means of escape in case of fire. Windows in such structures should not face towards the unit on either side. Car ports and covered walkways should in no circumstances be allowed within the 6 meters space. (For parking of cars and boats, see Section L)
D: Roads, Gateways and Footpaths
i. Roads and pathways of adequate construction should be designed to provide adequate access and movement of vehicles, including fire appliances.
ii. Roads should be provided so that no caravan is standing more than 50 metres from a road.
iii. Where the approach to the caravan is across ground that may be difficult or dangerous to negotiate in wet weather, each standing should be connected to a carriageway or footpath with a hard surface.
iv. Roads should be not less than 3.7 metres wide or if they form part of a clearly marked one way system, 3 metres wide.
v. Gateways should be a minimum of 3.1 metres wide and have a minimum height clearance of 3.7 metres.
vi. Footpaths should not be less than 0.75 metres wide.
vii. Roads should have no overhead cable less than 4.5 metres above the ground.
viii. Roads and footpaths should be suitably lit taking into account the needs and characteristics of the site.
ix. Emergency vehicle routes within the site should be kept clear of obstructions at all times.
E: Hard Standings
i. Every static unit must stand on a hard standing of suitable material, which should extend over the whole area occupied by the caravan placed on it and should project a sufficient distance outwards from the entrance or entrances of the caravan to enable occupants to enter and leave safely.
ii. The hard standings must be constructed to current industry guidance.
F: Compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
A suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment of the site and reviewed annually. Significant findings identified must be acted upon.
Provide a site specific Emergency Evacuation Plan.
Make available the latest version of the fire risk assessment for inspection by relevant authorities.
The following provides a benchmark of the sort of preventative and protective measure that may be necessary following completion of a fire risk assessment.
- Provision of suitably located, conspicuously marked fire points with adequate firefighting provisions (as a guide each unit to be located within 50 metres of a fire point)
- Each fire point to exhibit a conspicuous notice indicating the action to be taken in case of fire and the location of the nearest telephone.
- Each caravan to have adequate fire prevention equipment (fire extinguishers, fire blankets, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors)
- A suitable means of raising the alarm in the event of a fire, taking into account the size and layout of the site.
- Any firefighting equipment provided on site should be installed, tested and maintained in working order by a competent person. Records must be kept for inspection by the Site Licensing Authority.
- Regular site audits to ensure spacing distances are to be maintained. Records to be kept to demonstrate results of audits.
- Emergency vehicles should be able to secure access to the site at all times (within 90 metres of any unit).
Site Operators should seek the advice of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service on the above, the enforcing authority.
G: Supply and storage of Liquid Petroleum Gas.
i. Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facilities and installations shall meet current Statutory Requirements, Relevant Standards and Industry Codes of Practice.
ii. The location of LPG cylinders must not impede access or removal in the event of an emergency.
iii. Any work on gas 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 requirements.
iv. Any relevant certificates shall be provided to the Site Licensing Authority at their request.
H: Electrical Installations
i. Sites must be provided with an electricity supply sufficient in all respects to meet all reasonable demands of the caravans situated on them.
ii. Electrical installations must be designed, installed, tested, inspected and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the current relevant statutory requirements.
iii. 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 relevant statutory requirements.
iv. Any relevant certificates shall be provided to the Licensing Authority at their request.
v. At sites with overhead electric lines, suitable warning notices should be displayed at the site entrance(s) and on supports for the line. Where appropriate, these should warn against the danger of contact between the lines and fishing lines and the masts and dinghies.
I : Water Supply
i. The site shall have an adequate wholesome drinking water supply, which shall be in accordance with all current legislation, regulations and relevant British or European Standards.
ii. All repairs and improvements/alterations to water supplies and installations shall be carried out to comply with current legislation and British or European Standards. 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 Standards.
J : Drainage, Sanitation and Washing Facilities
i. Each caravan, wherever possible, should have its own water supply, water closet, bath or shower, basin with hot and cold water supplies. Where applicable, each standing should have its own connection to the foul drainage system and shall be capable of being made airtight when the caravan is not there.
ii. For caravans without such facilities, communal blocks shall be provided on at least the following scale and with adequate hot and cold water provision;
Men 1 WC and 1 Urinal per 15 caravans
Women 2 WCs per 15 caravans
Washbasins 1 for each WC or group of WCs
Showers or Bath 1 for men and 1 for women per 20 caravans
Communal WCs must be sited conveniently so that all the site occupants may have reasonable access to one by means of a road or footpath.
Communal facilities are to be constructed in such a manner and of such materials that they are easily cleansed. All facilities should be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
K : Refuse Storage and Disposal
i. Every caravan standing shall have an adequate number of suitable non-combustible refuse bins with close-fitting lids. A plastic bag system may be provided as an alternative but must be protected against attack by animals and birds.
ii. Where communal refuse bins are provided, these should be of similar construction and housed within a properly constructed bin store.
iii. Arrangements should be made for bins to be emptied regularly and the contents disposed of in accordance with all current legislation and regulation.
L : Parking
i. Suitably surfaced parking spaces shall be provided to meet the requirements of residents and visitors.
ii. Unless the Fire Officer of ESFRS objects one car only may be parked between adjoining caravans provided that the door to the caravan is not obstructed.
iii. Plastic or wooden boats should not be parked between units.
M: Recreational spaces
i. Space equivalent to about one-tenth of the total area should be allocated for children’s games and/or other recreational purposes.
ii. These may be omitted where the Council agrees that suitable alterative, publicly provided recreational facilities are readily accessible.
N: Trees and Bushes etc.
i. Long grass and vegetation shall be cut at frequent and regular intervals when necessary to prevent if becoming a fire hazard to caravans, buildings or other installations on the site. Any cuttings shall be removed from the vicinity of caravans.
ii. No fences or barriers of any description whatsoever are to be erected between caravans.
O: Notices
i. A suitable sign should be displayed prominently at the site entrance indicating the name of the site.
ii. Notice and a plan should be displayed on the site setting out the action to be taken in the event of an emergency. They shall show where the police, fire service, ambulance and local doctors can be contacted, and the location of the nearest public telephone. The notices shall also give the name and location/telephone number of the site licence holder or their accredited representative.
iii. Notice should be displayed on site detailing the evacuation plans/points in the event of extreme weather conditions.
iv. At sites subject to flood risk, warning notices should be displayed giving advice about the operation of the flood warning system.
v. A copy of the site licence with its conditions should be displayed prominently on the site or the front page of the licence and details of where the full licence conditions can be viewed.
vi. All notices shall be suitably protected from the weather and displayed, where, possible out of the direct rays of the sun, preferably in areas lit by artificial lighting.
P: General [only to be included on licence if licence holder does not object]
i. The only structures which may be stationed or erected or placed on the land and used for human habitation are those that satisfy the definitions of a caravan within the Act.
ii. No tent, vehicle or other structure whatsoever, save structures required to comply with the conditions of the site licence, shall be stationed or erected on the site except without the consent of the Council and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, no railway vehicles, tramcars, omnibus bodies, aeroplane fuselages or similar structures, whether on wheels or not and howsoever adapted, shall be stationed or erected on the land. The granting of such consent by the Council will not relieve the applicant from also obtaining Planning Permission or Building Regulations approval as may be required from the appropriate authority.
iii. All caravans stationed on the site shall be maintained in a good state of decorative, structural and mechanical repair and be kept in a clean condition.
iv. All services, appliances, facilities, amenities, other buildings and structures on the site, play or other equipment, telephones if provided, and the site itself shall be maintained in good repair, in good order, in a clean, safe, sanitary condition and free from accumulations at all times.
v. The Licence holder shall take all reasonable steps to prevent disorderly conduct on the site and to prevent noise or other nuisance likely to disturb the neighbourhood.
iii. Where the use of chemical toilets has been approved by the Council, a properly designed disposal points for the contents of such closets shall be provided, with an adequate supply of water for cleaning the containers. Any water supply must be clearly marked as non-drinking water.
iv. Satisfactory provision shall be made for foul 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 Council. Foul drainage systems should be maintained in good order and clean condition.
v. The site should have provision for the adequate disposal of surface and ground water, to prevent discharge of surface and groundwater to the public foul sewer and the pooling of water above ground during normal rainfall conditions.
Q: Register
[Not to be included if an individual licence holder objects and proposes a suitable alternative, unless there is evidence that the site is not being used for holiday use only].
Maintain a register of all persons (but not including the children of guardians and parents) occupying the site, overnight including:
- When they arrived and departed;
- Their permanent home address;
- Their vehicle registrations (if applicable)
Adults occupying the site shall be required to provide two proofs of their permanent home address, which is to be recorded by the site operator. The records are to be open for inspection by an authorised officer at all reasonable times.
Proof of permanent home address shall include:
- A current Council Tax bill
- A driving licence
- NHS card
- Utility Bill
- Home Insurance Documents
R: Have a written emergency plan to deal with fires, floods and gales. All Caravans are to be securely anchored to the ground during high winds.
S: Site Specific Conditions
[Local conditions relating to the individual site to be inserted here]