site licence

SOUTH BUCKS DISTRICT COUNCIL

CARAVAN SITES AND CONTROL OF DEVELOPMENT ACT

MODEL STANDARDS 1989: PERMANENT RESIDENTIAL

1960

MOBILE HOME SITES.

CONDITIONS

I. Section 5(6) of the Act provides that the secretary of State may from time to

time specify Model Standards with respect to the lay-out and the provision of

facilitates, services and equipment for caravan sites or particular types of

caravan site, and that, in deciding what (if any) conditions to attach to a site

license, the local authority shall have regard to any standards so specified.

Section 7(1) provides that on an appeal against any conditions of a site licence

a magistrates’ court, if satisfied, having regard amongst other things to any

standards specified by the Secretary of State under section 5(6) of the Act.

Section 24, which empowers local authorities to provide caravan sites,

provides in subsections (2) that in exercising their powers under the section

the local authority shall have regard to any standards that may have been

specified by the Secretary of State under section 5(6) of the Act.

II. In pursuance of his powers under section 5(6) of the Act, the Secretary of

State hereby specifies the following standards in relation to caravan sites on

which some or all of the caravans are used as a permanent residence by people

other than gypsies or agricultural workers. They are Model Standards: they

represent the standards normally expected as a matter of good practice on such

sites. They are not intended to apply to any other type of caravan site – for

example sites, which only have holiday caravans. They should be applied with

due regard to the particular circumstances of each case, including the physical

character of the site, any services or facilities that may already be available

within convenient reach, and other local conditions.

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CARAVANS

No more than 49 caravans shall be stationed on the land during the currency of

this licence and siting shall be in accordance with Planning Permission

BD/382/75 and BD/155/76.

Classification: OFFICIAL

1. The Boundaries and Plan of the Site

(i) The boundaries of the site from any adjoining land shall be clearly marked by a

man made or natural feature.

(ii) No caravan or combustible structure shall be positioned within 3 metres of the

boundary of the site.

(iii) (a) A plan of the site shall be supplied to the local authority upon the

application for a licence and, thereafter whenever there is a material change

to the boundaries or layout of the site, or at any other time on the demand of

the local authority.

(b) The plan supplied must clearly illustrate the layout of the site including all

relevant structures, features and facilities on it and shall be of suitable

quality.

2. Density, Spacing and Parking Between Caravans

(i) Except in the case mentioned in sub paragraph (iii) and subject to sub paragraph

(iv), every caravan must where practicable be spaced at a distance of no less than

6 metres (the separation distance) from any other caravan which is occupied as a

separate residence.

(ii) No caravan shall be stationed within 2 metres of any road or communal car park

within the site or more than 50 metres from such a road within the site.

(iii) Where a caravan has retrospectively been fitted with cladding from Class 1 fire

rated materials to its facing walls, then the separation distance between it and an

adjacent caravan may be reduced to a minimum of 5.25 metres.

(iv) In any case mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (iii):

(a) A porch attached to the caravan may protrude one metre into the separation

distance and must not exceed 2 metres in length and 1 metre in depth. The

porch must not exceed the height of the caravan. Where a porch is installed

only one door may be permitted at that entrance to the home, either on the

porch or on the home.

Classification: OFFICIAL

(b) Eaves, drainpipes and bay windows may extend into the separation distance

provided the total distance between the extremities of two facing caravans is

not less than 5 metres, except where sub paragraph (iii) applies in which

case the extension into the separation distance shall not exceed 4.25 metres.

(c) Any structure including steps, ramps, etc (except a garage or car port),

which extends more than 1 metre into the separation distance shall be of

non-combustible construction. There should be a 4.5 metre clear distance

between any such structure and any adjacent caravan.

(d) A garage or car port may only be permitted within the separation distance if

it is of non-combustible construction.

(e) Windows in structures within the separation distance shall not face towards

the caravan on either side.

(f) Fences and hedges, where allowed and forming the boundary between

adjacent caravans, should be a maximum of 2 metre high.

(g) Only one car shall be parked between adjoining caravans and this shall be

parked as not to obstruct the door to any caravan and shall not be parked

closer than 3 m (10ft.) to any part of a caravan or annexe in separate

occupation. The Licensee shall ensure that no vehicle shall be parked on a

site roadway except for delivery or emergency purposes. Plastic or wooden

boats shall not be parked between units.

(v) The density of caravans on a site shall be determined in accordance with relevant

health and safety standards and fire risk assessments.

3. Roads, Gateways and Overhead Cables

(i) Roads shall be designed to provide adequate access for emergency vehicles and

routes within the site for such vehicles must be kept clear of obstruction at all

times.

(ii) New roads shall be constructed and laid of suitable bitumen macadem or

concrete with a suitable compacted base.

(iii) All roads shall have adequate surface water/storm drainage.

(iv) New two way roads shall not be less than 3.7 metres wide, or if they are

designed for and used by one way traffic, not less than 3 metres wide.

(v) One-way systems shall be clearly signposted.

Classification: OFFICIAL

(vi) Where existing two way roads are not 3.7 metres wide, passing places shall be

provided where practical.

(vii) Vehicular access and all gateways to the site must be a minimum of 3.1 metres

wide and have a minimum height clearance of 3.7 metres.

(viii) Roads shall be maintained in a good condition.

(ix) Cable overhangs must meet the statutory requirements.

4. Footpaths and Pavements

(i) Every caravan shall be connected to a road by a footpath with a hard surface

which shall be maintained in good condition.

(ii) Where practicable, communal footpaths and pavements shall not be less than

0.75 metres wide.

5. Lighting

Roads, communal footpaths and pavements shall be adequately lit between dusk and

dawn to allow the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicles around the site during

the hours of darkness.

6. Bases

(i) Every unit must stand on a concrete base or hard-standing.

(ii) The base must extend over the whole area occupied by the unit, and must project

a sufficient distance outwards from its entrance or entrances to enable occupants

to enter and leave safely. The hard standings must be constructed to the industry

guidance, current at the time of siting, taking into account local conditions.

7. Maintenance of Common Areas, including Grass, Vegetation and Trees

(i) Every part of the site to which the public have access shall be kept in a clean and

tidy condition.

(ii) Every road, communal footpath and pavement on the site shall be maintained in

a good condition, good repair and clear of rubbish.

(iii) Grass and vegetation shall be cut and removed at frequent and regular intervals.

(iv) Trees within the site shall (subject to the necessary consents) be maintained.

(v) Any cuttings, litter or waste shall be removed from the immediate surrounds of a

pitch.

Classification: OFFICIAL

8. Supply & Storage of Gas etc

(i) Gas (including natural gas) and oil installations, and the storage of supplies shall

meet current statutory requirements, relevant Standards and Codes of Practice.

(ii) Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders must not be positioned or secured in such a

way as to impede access or removal in the event of an emergency.

9. Electrical Installations

(i) On the site there shall be installed an electricity network of adequate capacity to

meet safely all reasonable demands of the caravans and other facilities and

services within it.

(ii) The electrical network installations shall be subject to regulation under current

relevant legislation and must be designed, installed, tested, inspected and

maintained in accordance with the provisions of the current relevant statutory

requirements.

(iii) Any work on electrical installations and appliances shall be carried out only by

persons who are competent to do the particular type of work being undertaken,

in accordance with current relevant statutory requirements.

(iv) Any work on the electrical network within the site shall be done by a competent

person fully conversant with the appropriate statutory requirements.

10. Water Supply

(i) All pitches on the site shall be provided with a water supply sufficient in all

respects to meet all reasonable demands of the caravans situated on them.

(ii) All new water supplies shall be in accordance with all current legislation,

regulations and relevant British or European Standards.

(iii) All repairs and improvements to water supplies and installations shall be carried

out to conform with current legislation and British or European Standards.

(iv) Work on water supplies and installations shall be carried out only by persons

who are qualified in the particular type of work being undertaken and in

accordance with current relevant legislation and British or European Standards.

Classification: OFFICIAL

11. Drainage and Sanitation

(i) Surface water drainage shall be provided where appropriate to avoid standing

pools of water.

(ii) There shall be satisfactory provision for foul and waste water drainage either by

connection to a public sewer or sewage treatment works or by discharge to a

properly constructed septic tank or cesspool approved by the local authority.

(iii) All drainage and sanitation provision shall be in accordance with all current

legislation and British or European Standards.

(iv) Work on drains and sewers shall be carried out only by persons who are

qualified in the particular type of work being undertaken and in accordance with

current legislation and British or European standards.

12. Domestic Refuse Storage & Disposal

(i) Where communal refuse bins are provided these shall be non-combustible and

housed within a properly constructed bin store.

(ii) All refuse disposal shall be in accordance with all current legislation and

regulations.

13. Communal Vehicular Parking

Suitably surfaced parking spaces shall be provided to meet the requirements of

residents and their visitors.

14. Communal Recreation Space

On sites where it is practical to do so, suitable space equivalent to about one tenth of

the total area of the site shall be allocated for recreational purposes, unless in the local

authority’s opinion there are adequate recreational facilities within a close proximity

to the site.

15. Notices and Information

(i) The name of the site shall be displayed on a sign in a prominent position at the

entrances to the site together with the current name, address and telephone

number of the licence holder and manager and emergency contact details, a copy

of the site licence or the front page of the said licence and details of where the

full licence and other information required to be available under this standard

can be viewed and between which times (if not displayed on the notice board).

Classification: OFFICIAL

(ii) A current plan of the site with roads and pitches marked on it shall be

prominently displayed at the entrances to it.

(iii) A copy of the current site licence shall be available for inspection in a prominent

place on the site.

(iv) In addition at the prominent place the following information shall also be

available for inspection at the prominent place:

(a) A copy of the most recent periodic electrical inspection report.

(b) A copy of the site owner’s certificate of public liability insurance.

(c) A copy of the local flood warning system and evacuation procedures, if

appropriate.

(d) A copy of the fire risk assessment made for the site.

(v) All notices shall be suitably protected from the weather and from direct sunlight.

16. Flooding

(i) The site owner shall establish whether the site is at risk from flooding by

referring to the Environment Agency’s Flood Map.

(ii) Where there is risk from flooding the site owner shall consult the Environment

Agency for advice on the likelihood of flooding, the depths and velocities that

might be expected, the availability of a warning service and on what appropriate

measures to take.

17. Requirement to Comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

2005

The site owner shall make available the latest version of the fire risk assessment

carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for inspection by

residents and when demanded, a copy of the risk assessment shall be made available

to the local authority.

18. Fire safety measures where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

does not apply (such as single unit sites and those sites solely occupied by

family groups)

(i) The standards in this paragraph only apply if the site is not subject to the

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Classification: OFFICIAL

Fire Points

(ii) These shall be located so that no caravan or site building is more than 30 metres

from a fire point. Equipment provided at a fire point shall be housed in a

weather-proof structure, easily accessible and clearly and conspicuously marked

“FIRE POINT”.

Fire Fighting Equipment

(iii) Where water standpipes are provided:

(a) The water supply shall be of sufficient pressure to project a jet of water not

less than 5 metres from the nozzle.

(b) There shall be a reel that complies with the current British or European

Standard, with a hose not less than 35 metres long, having a means of

connection to a water standpipe (preferably a screw thread connection) with

a water supply of sufficient pressure and terminating in a small hand nozzle.

(c) Hoses shall be housed in a red box and marked “HOSE REEL”. Access to

the fire point shall not be obstructed or obscured.

(iv) Where hydrants are provided, hydrants shall conform to the current British or

European Standard.

(v) Access to hydrants and other water supplies shall not be obstructed or obscured.

(vi) Where standpipes are not provided or the water pressure or flow is not sufficient,

each fire point shall be provided with water extinguishers

(2 x 9 litres) which comply with the current British or European Standard.

Fire Warning

(vii) A suitable means of raising the alarm in the event of a fire shall be provided at

each fire point.

Maintenance and Testing of Fire Fighting Equipment

(viii) All alarm and fire fighting equipment shall be installed, tested and maintained in

working order by persons who are qualified in the particular type of work being

undertaken and be available for inspection by, or on behalf of, the licensing

authority or the Fire and Rescue Service.

Classification: OFFICIAL

(ix) A record shall be kept of all testing and remedial action taken.

(x) All equipment susceptible to damage by frost shall be suitably protected.

Fire Notices

(xi) A clearly written and conspicuous notice shall be provided and maintained at

each fire point to indicate the action to be taken in case of fire. This notice

should include the following:

“On discovering a fire:

I. Ensure the caravan or site building involved is evacuated.

II. Raise the alarm.

III. Call the fire brigade (the nearest phone is sited at ……..).”

Odds Farm Estate

site licence