Caravan Site Licence

Licence summary	If you own or operate a caravan site in Northern Ireland, you must hold a site licence. Licences are obtained from the district council where the land is situated. Applications must be made in writing and are subject to a fee. You may be required to have permission to use the land as a caravan site under a planning order. You must comply with any conditions attached to a site licence. Conditions that may be attached to a licence will cover: restrictions on when caravans can be stationed on the site restrictions of the total number of caravans that can be on the site at any one time controlling the types of caravan on the site governing the positioning of the caravans and the placing of any other structures, vehicles or tents preserving and enhancing the land, including planting bushes and trees requiring fire safety and fire fighting system and equipment provision and maintenance providing sanitary facilities and any other facilities, services or equipment and ensuring these are properly maintained For a list of premises that currently hold Caravan Site Licences please contact the Environmental Health & Enforcement Section using the contact details below.
Eligibility Criteria	An application for a site licence can be made by the occupier of the land to the district council who govern the area where the land is situated. There must also be relevant Planning Permission in force for the land in question. Licences will not be given to applicants who have had a site licence revoked within three years of the current application. A licence is no longer valid once the licence holder no longer is entitled to be the occupier of the land. The licence must be transferred to the new occupier except that a licence cannot be transferred to someone who has had a site licence revoked within the previous three years.
Regulation Summary	The Caravans Act (NI) 1963
Application Evaluation Process	Applications must be in writing or by electronic means and detail the land which is subject to the application. There is a fee of £10 to apply for such a licence. The following supporting documents are required: Site layout plan (mandatory) - A plan of the proposed site layout including details of all buildings also on site Planning permission (mandatory) - Evidence that there is a planning order in force for permission to use the land as a caravan site Electrical test certificate (mandatory) - for the electrical installation up to point of supply to individual caravans Fire Fighting Equipment (mandatory) - test/ supply certificates for fire fighting equipment placed on site Emergency Lighting Test Certificates (mandatory) - Test certificate for testing emergency lighting on site if supplied Fire Alarm System test Certificate (mandatory) - if supplied on site any electrical fire alarm system should be tested periodically. Once issued, a site licence will be subject to terms and conditions which may require the periodic provision of other certification (for example in relation to electrical testing, testing of fire alarm and emergency lighting systems)
Will Tacit Consent Apply?	Yes. On receipt of an application, all supporting documentation and certification, and evidence that there is planning permission a Caravan Site Licence will be issued within two months. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority within this two month period. However, the applicant and the council can agree that a longer period shall be afforded to grant the licence where necessary. For applications to alter conditions of licence: No. You may not assume that a condition has been altered until you have been notified as such by the Council. If the council has not determined the application within two months of receipt of the application to alter conditions then the application is deemed to be refused.
Apply online	Application for a Caravan Site Licence Application to Transfer a Caravan Site Licence Application to Change a Caravan Site Licence
Forms to download, print and post
Contact Details	Tel: 028 2076 2225 Fax: 028 2076 9891 E-mail: environmentalhealth@moyle-council.org Environmental Health & Enforcement Section Moyle District Council Sheskburn House 7 Mary Street Ballycastle BT54 6QH
Failed Application Redress	Please contact Moyle District Council in the first instance. If a licence holder is refused an application to alter a condition they may appeal to the local Magistrates' court. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the written notification of the refusal and a notice of appeal must be served on the local district council. Appeals against refusals of alterations to conditions relating to the dates and periods caravans may be on the site may be made to the Department of the Environment. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the written notification of the refusal.
Licence Holder Redress	Please contact Moyle District Council in the first instance. If a licence holder objects to a condition attached to their licence, they may appeal to the local Magistrates' court for the area where the land is situated. Appeals must be made within 28 days of the licence being issued and a notice of the appeal must be served to the district council. Appeals can also be made to the Department of the Environment within 28 days of the licence being issued. The council may alter conditions at any time but must give licence holders the opportunity to make representations about the proposed changes. If a 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 the local district council. Appeals against conditions relating to the dates and periods caravans may be on the site may be made to the Department of the Environment. The appeal must be made within 28 days of the written notification of the alteration.
Consumer Complaint	We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other Redress	Any complaints about how a licensed site is run or operated should be made directly to the Environmental Health & Enforcement Section on 028 2076 2225, or by emailing environmentalhealth@moyle-council.org
Trade Associations	Landlords' Association of Northern Ireland