Key Considerations

The caravan can be situated anywhere within the residential curtilage. It is common to identify a specific location within the planning application, but this is not essential in terms of law – it does however help keep the planning authority happy!

The caravan MUST be used in conjunction with the main house. The specific term is ‘incidental to the enjoyment of’, so whatever use the caravan enjoys cannot be a primary use (i.e. main living area for the whole household).

Often misunderstood by planning authorities, the use of  a caravan – even a large twin unit static caravan, is land use, and not development. In planning terms development generally refers to something that is built, or constructed (i.e. a building), where, because a caravan must be shown to be mobile, it cannot be classed as a building.

This can change, for example if the caravan unit becomes fixed down to the ground, or the use changes from an incidental use to a primary or secondary use. In this instance a planning application for development would be required.

This is absolutely critical, but can sometimes be surprisingly difficult to define. Typically the curtilage would be all of the land surrounding the house, on some occasions this may be quite extensive – i.e. include an orchard or small paddock, or even be a block of land not immediately adjacent to the land. In these instances it is essential to identify the extent of the residential curtilage prior to making an application.

There are no criteria for design or appearance of the unit, as long as it meets the construction and mobility tests (see section 1.3 Page 1).

There are no limitations to the Caravan’s Act in relation to conservation areas, listed buildings, AONB’s, National Parks etc. as long as the critical criteria are met, permission should be granted.

The siting of a caravan is essentially permitted in planning terms. To get confirmation of this permitted right, an application to the local council is made known as a Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Use or Development under section 192 of The Town and Country Planning Act (1990), this type of application is often shortened to Lawful Development Certificate.