Are you dreaming of owning your own campsite? Building a campsite can be a daunting process, especially if you’re new to the world of property. Below we describe an entry route into building a new campsite.
Certified Location or Certificated Location (CL)
What is a Certified or Certificated Location?
A CL is a small, privately-owned caravan site that has been approved by one of several Exempted Organisations. These sites can accommodate up to 5 caravans or motorhomes at any one time. To obtain a CL license, the owner must meet a set of licensing conditions.
A certificate of exemption for motorhomes and touring caravans is a document that, under specific circumstances, permits the siting of motorhomes and touring caravans on land without the need for a site license or planning permission.
Do you need planning permission for a CL site?
To establish a site with up to five pitches, you will require level land that measures at least half an acre and safe access for caravans/motorhomes. Typically, planning permission is not necessary for a five-pitch Certificated Location site. However, if you plan to construct any structures, perform engineering works such as ground formation or install an all-weather surfacing, a septic tank, or an effluent treatment plant, you should consult with your local planning authority. They will provide advice on whether planning permission is necessary. These works may be required before the Club grants a CL certificate.
Type of Land
To accommodate five vans, a minimum of half an acre of flat or fairly level land with easy access to the site is required. Other important points to consider include:
- If the land does not drain well during winter months, it may be more suitable for a seasonal site that closes in wetter months.
- If the land is in Flood Zone 3, guidance from the Environment Agency and Local Authority will need to be followed.
- If the land is situated within a National Park or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, consultation with the relevant authorities will be necessary. An informal discussion with the relevant authority can also help gauge their support for a CL application.
- If there are other commercial activities on the land such as rallies, yurts, pods, or other caravanning and camping, the CL must be a completely separate and standalone site.
- Safe access to the site from any public highway must be provided, with good visibility in both directions on exit and not close to any blind bends.
Access
Consider the following;
- Is the width of the road sufficient for the safe passage of a car and caravan?
- In case of a country lane, are there adequate passing places available at regular intervals
- If located on a main road, is the visibility clear enough for a car and caravan to safely enter or exit the location?
- If the property has a gate or walled entrance, it is important to ensure that a large vehicle can easily access it. The entrances should be at least 3.66 metres wide. If there is an entrance gate, it should be set at a distance of at least 15 metres from the road to allow safe entry and exit.
What Facilities Need to Be Provided?
The requirements of the local authorities vary across different regions. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your local planning authority before starting any work to create a CL site. This consultation will help you determine whether planning permission is required for the following essential works;
Chemical Emptying Point / Chemical Rinsing Tap (not for drinking) Site users will need a designated area to empty their waste tanks. If you plan to discharge the waste into the main sewage system, it is recommended to consult with your local Waste Water service provider or Environment Agency to ensure that it is acceptable. This is because the chemicals used in cassette toilets may not be suitable for direct discharge into the main sewage.
If your site is not connected to mains sewage, a sealed holding tank is a commonly used system to avoid ground contamination. However, due to the chemicals used in chemical toilet fluid, black toilet waste should not be disposed of through septic tanks or small sewage treatment plants without proper planning oversight and authorisation before they can be installed or used.
Sealed tanks are available in various sizes and prices. The frequency of emptying them is dependent on factors such as size, the number of users on site, and water usage. The cost of emptying a sealed tank is approximately £110, depending on the above factors and must be carried out by an accredited waste company or individual.
All chemical emptying points (CCEP) must have a rinsing tap next to them for washing down the area.
Grey Water Waste
Grey water disposal is an important aspect to consider for a CL site. Site users will require a designated place to dispose of their grey water, which is the wastewater from domestic activities such as sinks, washing up, and showers. This can be facilitated through the Chemical Closet Emptying Point (CCEP) or a separate grey water drain. In case of a separate drain, it is necessary to have an additional rinsing tap to clean the drain or grey water container. While a drive-over grey water waste point would be ideal for motorhomes, it would be an optional provision. The covered drain should be easily accessible to site users and located in a spot that allows for easy driving around it.
Drinking Water
To provide a safe and potable water supply for your CL, it’s important to ensure that the water source meets certain standards. While most CLs use mains water, you can also use non-mains water as long as it’s tested annually and the test certificate is provided to the Club.
To meet certificating requirements, the Drinking Water Tap on your site must:
- Comply with the relevant regulations set by the Local Authority or Water Company.
- Be in working condition throughout the winter season, for all-year sites.
- Be mounted at a height of 75-90cm above ground level, and securely attached to a sturdy vertical support like a wall or a wooden post.
- Not be connected to a hose.
Before you connect to and distribute water from the public mains, it’s advisable to check with the water supply company and local authority for their approval.
Waste Bins
In addition to providing large covered bins for the disposal of everyday dry refuse and recycling, it is important to ensure that the bins meet fire safety regulations. This may include providing fire-resistant bins or placing the bins in a designated area that is at a safe distance from any structures or combustible materials. It is important to consult with local authorities and fire safety experts to ensure that the bins meet all necessary regulations and standards. Proper disposal of refuse and recycling is essential for maintaining a safe and clean environment for users of your CL.
Electric Hook-Ups
While electric hook-ups are not necessary for setting up a CL, they are highly requested by users. To provide electric hook-ups, it is necessary to consult with a qualified electrician regarding costs and installation. The distance of the site to a power supply and the length of cable required to reach the site should be considered, as they will affect the cost. Each van will need to connect using a maximum 25-metre cable, and a 16 amp supply to each hook-up point is the most commonly used on the CL network. Ofgem legislation requires that pitch prices include electricity. If you want to charge site users separately for the electricity they use, a separate metering installation is required to determine exact usage costs. Additionally, as electric vehicle usage increases, it may be beneficial to consider providing or allowing electric vehicle charging on the site.
Toilets & Showers
While many caravans or motorhomes come equipped with their own toilet/shower facilities, you may choose to provide these amenities at your CL site.
Hardstandings
There is no obligation for your pitches to have a hardstanding surface. However, if you wish to keep your site open all year round, or if the ground is slow draining or susceptible to becoming boggy during wet weather, then hardstanding may be a viable option for you. Hardstanding can be achieved by laying down either tarmac or a hardcore/gravel surface over a plastic membrane. You can choose to have only the pitches as hardstanding, but if the ground is prone to getting very boggy in wet weather, then a 3-metre-wide track from the gate to the pitches is recommended to prevent vehicles from getting stuck or causing damage to the ground.
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