Do I Need Planning Permission for Putting a Caravan in My Garden?

Are you considering placing a caravan in your garden? You might be wondering whether you need planning permission for this. The good news is that under the provisions of the Caravan Act, in many cases, you can place a caravan in your garden without needing planning permission. However, there are a few important factors to consider.

At Cedar Planning, our consultants are well placed to guide you through the process. For more information on our range of planning services, visit our page here, or use the contact us form for a free initial appraisal of your proposal.

Caravan Use

Firstly, it's crucial to note that if you plan to rent out the caravan or use it for any other purposes, you will likely need to obtain planning permission. This rule applies regardless of whether your property is located in a protected area, such as a listed building or a Green Belt.

If you intend to use the caravan solely for personal use for purposes ancillary to the main house, you should be in the clear. However, it's always advisable to check with your local council. One way to do this is by submitting a Certificate of Lawfulness application, and we always recommend seeking a Certificate of Lawfulness from your Council. This application will determine whether you can lawfully place a caravan in your garden without planning permission. Thousands of unsuspecting homeowners face enforcement action every year, and seeking a Certificate of Lawfulness will avoid nasty surprises later on down the line. At Cedar Planning, our planning consultants are on hand to help you with this process.

Location

To avoid the need for planning permission, the caravan will need to be placed within the residential curtilage of your property (which in most cases is defined as the garden). This means that if you plan on placing a caravan on an adjoining piece of land which is not part of the 'curtilage' of your home (e.g. an adjoining field), then you will need planning permission.

Construction, Size and Mobility

Keep in mind that even if planning permission is not required, there are certain restrictions or guidelines to follow. Most notably, under the Caravan Sites Act 1968, a structure is classified as a caravan, or mobile home, if it is no longer than 20 metres, no wider than 6.8 metres and has an internal floor to ceiling height of 3.05 metres or lower. It is also vitally important that the caravan must be capable of road transport. The Act also requires that the caravan must not be constructed of more than two sections separately constructed. In essence this creates tests relating to the construction of the caravan, its mobility and its size.

Conclusions

Placing a caravan in your garden can be a convenient and cost-effective way to create additional living space or accommodation. It is a particular helpful solution in heavily constrained locations where you cannot get permission for a garage or outbuilding, such as Green Belt locations.

Remember, while you may not need planning permission, we always recommend seeking a Certificate of Lawfulness from your local council. This will confirm if your plans are lawful, and will avoid any nasty surprises later on. You can read more about the Certificate of Lawfulness application process on our blog post here. Or if you would like Cedar Planning to support you through the process, please use the contact form below for a free no-obligation quote.