Site licence conditions

The application for a site licence must be made in writing. [1] The local authority may grant the application, provided that the correct information is given, that planning permission has already been granted, and that the applicant has not had a previous site licence revoked within the last three years. [2] The local authority can attach conditions to the site licence, and can alter these conditions after giving the site owner the opportunity to make representations. [3] The conditions of the site licence must be displayed on the site. Another copy will be held by the local authority and should be accessible to members of the public.

Licensing conditions can relate to:

• the number and (with certain restrictions) the type of caravans to be stationed, and any restrictions on when caravans may be stationed on the site (this has to be in agreement with the planning permission)

• the position on the site where caravans may be stationed

• landscaping provisions (including the planting of trees and bushes)

• fire safety provisions

• sanitary facilities. [4]

Conditions cannot relate to the types of caravans stationed on the site, [5] or to the relations between the site owner and the occupiers (for example, with regard to unlawful evictions). [6] The site licence conditions are enforceable only by the local authority, not by the occupier. An occupier could raise a judicial review action against a local authority that unreasonably fails to enforce site conditions.