Planning Information

In most cases planning is not an issue for our buildings, they are categorised as caravans which do not require planning.

The current legal definition of a caravan

Section 29 (1) of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 defined a caravan as:

“… Any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved from one place to another (whether being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer) and any motor vehicle so designed or adapted but does not include

  1. Any railway rolling stock which is for the time being on rails forming part of a system, or
  2. Any tent”

This definition has been modified by section 13 (1) of the Caravan Sites Act 1968, which deals with twin-unit caravans. Section 13 (1) provides that:

“A structure designed or adapted for human habitation which:

  1. Is composed of not more than two sections separately constructed and designed to be assembled on a site by means of bolts, clamps and other devices; and
  2. Is, when assembled, physically capable of being moved by road from one place to another (whether being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer), shall not be treated as not being (or have been) a caravan within the means of Part 1 of the Caravan Sites Control of Development Act 1960 by reason only that it cannot lawfully be moved on a highway when assembled”.

Amended Sizes

Amendment of the definition of caravan in article 3 of the Social Landlords (Permissible Additional Purposes) (England) Order 2006

Paragraph 3 of article 3 of the Social Landlords (Permissible Additional Purposes) (England) Order 2006 (meaning of caravan) shall be amended

  1. Length (exclusive of any drawbar) 20m (65.6FT)
  2. Width: 6.8m (22.3ft)
  3. Overall height (measured internally from the floor at the lowest level to the ceiling at the highest level) 3.05m (10ft)

In most cases only permitted development should be required for our buildings but the question of whether any individual mobile home is within the above definition can only be decided finally by your local Planning Department who will be able to advise you on what you can build. Anybody who is not sure whether the definition applies to his/her mobile home should consult his/her local authority planning department.

For general planning advice you can visit Planning Portal