Camping site licence

If you allow your land to be used as a camping site by the public for more than 42 days consecutively - or 60 days in a year - you require a licence from East Devon District Council.

Conditions may be attached to a licence; and will include:

  • The type of caravan, eg residential, static holiday or touring
  • The number of caravans that can be on site per acre/hectare and the spacing between caravans
  • Water supply and drainage, toilets and washing facilities
  • Fire precautions and electrical installations

Licence summary

There are exceptions for organisations that hold camping exemption certificates.  Please contact East Devon District Council to discuss any exceptions.

We will normally issue a licence unless:

  • There is no planning permission for the caravan(s), or
  • The planning permission is to expire within 6 months, or
  • The applicant has had a site licence withdrawn in the previous 3 years

Application Evaluation Process

Applications must be in writing or via the on-line form, should detail the land the application concerns and include a site plan at 1:500 scale and any other information required within the application by East Devon District Council.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No. It is in the public interest that East Devon District Council must process your application before it can be granted. East Devon District Council normally issue’s a licence within 2 months of receiving the application.

Apply online

Apply for a camping site licence

Application for a Transfer of a Site Licence (caravan and camping)

Failed Application Redress

Please contact East Devon District Council Environmental Health Service on 01395 517457

If you have been refused a licence you may appeal to a local Magistrates' court.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact East Devon District Council Environmental Health Service on 01395 517457

You may appeal against a condition attached to a licence to a local Magistrates' court. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the licence being issued.

East Devon District Council may alter conditions at any time but we must give the licence holders the opportunity to make representations about the proposed changes. If the licence holder disagrees with the alterations they may appeal to the local Magistrates' court. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the written notification of the alteration and a notice of appeal must be served on East Devon District Council.

East Devon District Council Environmental Health Service Contact Details

Environmental Health
Council Offices
Knowle
Sidmouth
EX10 8HL
01395 517457
Contact us online

You may find the following Trade Associations useful for information

Association of Caravan and Camping Exempted Organsations (ACCEO)

British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA)

British Resorts and Destinations Association

Caravan Industry Training (CITO)

National Caravan Council (NCC)

Page last updated on 5 December 2011