Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960
The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 is a UK Act of Parliament relating to the licensing and control of caravan sites. It was passed into law following a 1959 report by Sir Arton Wilson which found unclear and insufficient legislation relating to people living in caravans, and that local authorities did not have the proper powers to deal with caravan housing.
See also Changes to permitted development in 2023
The Act stipulates that occupiers of land must acquire a license from the local borough or district council before using it as a caravan site. The authority has the power to refuse, revoke or impose limitations on a license if it is deemed necessary.
The Act defines a ‘caravan site’ as ‘...land on which a caravan is stationed for the purposes of human habitation and land which is used in conjunction with land on which a caravan is so stationed’. This means that the land becomes a caravan site as soon as a caravan is brought onto it, regardless of the actual use of the land.
The Act allows a homeowner to use their land as a caravan site if its use for that purpose is ‘...incidental to the enjoyment as such of a dwelling house within the curtilage of which the land is situated.’
According to the Act, a caravan-owner can use land as a caravan site as long as the following conditions are met:
- They remain on the land for no more than two consecutive nights.
- Only one caravan used for human habitation is situated on the land.
- The land is not used as a caravan site for more than 28 days in any 12-month period.
Updates to the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 are the Caravan Sites Act 1968, The Caravan Sites Act 1968 (Amendment of Definition of Caravan) (Scotland) Order 2019, and The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2023.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Ancillary uses of buildings.
- Change of use class.
- Controls on traveller development.
- Gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople.
- Planning legislation.
- Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act.
- Review of housing needs for caravans and houseboats.
- Revised planning policy for traveller sites.
- Temporary use.
- Town and Country Planning Act.
- Use class designation for land and buildings.
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.