site licence
📖 What is site licence? Meaning and definition
A site licence is a crucial document for land used as a caravan park or mobile home site in the UK. It is issued by the local authority and comes with various conditions that the land occupier must follow. These conditions are put in place to protect the interests of people living in caravans or mobile homes on the site, other classes of persons, or the public at large.
The local authority has broad powers to impose conditions on a site licence. These can include restrictions on how often caravans are stationed for human habitation, the total number of caravans allowed at any one time, or controls over the types of caravans based on their size, repair, or other features. If a local authority issues a site licence with conditions, the occupier has the right to appeal these conditions to a tribunal.
Site licences are particularly relevant for 'protected sites' under the Mobile Homes Act 1983, where residents have specific rights regarding their pitch. The cost of the annual site licence fee, imposed by the local authority, can sometimes be a factor in pitch fee reviews for mobile home residents, with a contribution potentially being divided among the plots on the site.
If conditions on a site licence are varied or cancelled, the local authority or tribunal may also attach new conditions. This process ensures that the site continues to meet necessary standards and safeguards for its residents and the wider community.
📋 Requirements
- Issued by a local authority for land used for caravans or mobile homes.
- Subject to conditions imposed by the local authority.
- Conditions are for the interests of persons dwelling in caravans, other classes of persons, or the public at large.
- Applies to 'protected sites' under the Mobile Homes Act 1983.
📝 Procedure
- Local authority issues a site licence with conditions.
- Applicant (land occupier) may appeal the attached conditions to a tribunal.
- Tribunal considers the appeal and may vary, cancel, or attach new conditions to the site licence.
💡 Examples
- A local council issued a site licence for a mobile home park, including conditions that restricted the number of caravans allowed on the land at any one time.
- The owner of a caravan park appealed several conditions attached to their site licence, arguing they were too restrictive on the types of caravans permitted.
- Residents of a mobile home site saw a small contribution towards the local authority's annual site licence fee included in their monthly pitch fee calculation.
- Following an appeal, the First-tier Tribunal adjusted some of the original site licence conditions for a caravan park, also adding a new condition related to site maintenance.
📚 Legal basis
- Mobile Homes Act 1983
- Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960
❓ Frequently asked questions
Who issues a site licence?
A site licence is issued by the local authority that has jurisdiction over the land in question.
What kind of conditions can be attached to a site licence?
Conditions can be wide-ranging, including restrictions on the number or types of caravans, how often they are stationed, and other features deemed necessary for the interests of residents or the public.
Can I challenge the conditions on a site licence?
Yes, if you are the applicant or occupier, you can appeal a decision by the local authority to attach conditions to a site licence to a tribunal, typically within a 28-day time limit.
Does a site licence affect pitch fees for mobile home residents?
Yes, the annual site licence fee charged by the local authority can be a factor in pitch fee calculations for mobile home residents, with a contribution often divided among the plots.
What happens if conditions on a site licence are changed?
If conditions are varied or cancelled by a tribunal or local authority, new conditions may also be attached to the site licence to ensure ongoing compliance and safety.