Apply for a new licence
To run a caravan or camping site, you need a licence from the Council. There are some exceptions to this rule.
The number of caravans allowed on the site will be specified on the licence along with other specific conditions.
Conditions may include:
- Restricting when caravans can be on the site for human habitation or restricting the number of caravans that can be on the site at any one time.
- The type of caravan, e.g. residential, static holiday or touring.
- The permitted density (the number per acre or hectare) and the spacing between caravans.
- Controlling the positioning of the caravans or regulating the use of other structures and vehicles, including tents.
- Ensuring sanitary and other facilities, water supply, drainage, services and equipment are supplied and maintained.
- Fire precautions, firefighting controls and electrical installations.
- Ensuring steps are taken to enhance the land, including planting or replanting bushes and trees.
Before you apply
Before a site licence is issued, you (or your legal advisor) must confirm that the land used for caravans has planning permission that matches the site licence details.
If you plan to change the land's use to a permanent caravan site, you must obtain planning permission first.
How to apply
To apply for a caravan site licence, you must:
- Be entitled to use the land as a caravan site.
- Not have had a site licence revoked within three years of the current application.
For a licence application form, email housing.standards@trafford.gov.uk.
Applications must be completed and accompanied by a site plan at 1:500 scale showing the layout of roads, caravans, and facilities.
What happens next
You cannot run a caravan or camping site without a licence. If you have not heard anything within a reasonable period, email housing.standards@trafford.gov.uk.
The owner, and anyone appointed to manage a caravan site, must be fit and proper to do so. You must complete and send an application form to housing.standards@trafford.gov.uk.
Fees
The Council is authorised to charge a £226 fee to cover the costs of assessing applications for the fit and proper register and monitoring the scheme. Read the fee policy.
Email housing.standards@trafford.gov.uk for details of how to make a payment.
Refused applications
If your application has been refused, email housing.standards@trafford.gov.uk.
If your application to alter a condition has been refused, you can appeal to the local Magistrates' court. Appeals must be made within 28 days of the refusal, and a notice of appeal must be served on Trafford Council.
Revoked applications
If your application has been revoked, email housing.standards@trafford.gov.uk.
If you want to appeal against a condition attached to a licence, you can appeal to the local Magistrates' Court. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the licence being issued.
We may alter the conditions of a licence at any time, but must allow licence holders to make representations about proposed changes. If a licence holder disagrees with the alterations, they may appeal to the local Magistrates' Court.
Appeals must be made within 28 days of the refusal, and a notice of appeal must be served on Trafford Council.