Can I be fined?

[BRL]

I understand that the current law prohibits unlicensed landowners from allowing caravans to occupy their land for more than two nights. If they do, they may be subject to a fine from the Local Authority.

But what would happen to the caravan occupier? Does a LA have the power to impose a fine on them too?

 

[donb]

Hi mate

I am a local authority officer and can advise you that it would be a planning issue for using land as a caravan site without permission, you can use the land for up to 28 days but only for 1 van. You would be best to check with your planning department on that side of things as I am a licensing officer not a planner.As to being fined,it should be a stop notice first and even then it is nothing to do with the van occupier only the landowner, I have never in 15 years had to do that from the licensing side, we would only look at prosecution for not having a site license if you have planning permission and have not applied for a licence.

Hope this helps but I advise anyone with issues like this to speak to thier local authority as even we are caravaners.

 

[BRL]

Thanks Don

I see. So using land as a caravan site without a licence is an offence which only relates to the owner of that land? The occupier of the caravan would either be told to move on, or served with an enforcement notice, I assume.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[donb]

Thanks Don

I see. So using land as a caravan site without a licence is an offence which only relates to the owner of that land? The occupier of the caravan would either be told to move on, or served with an enforcement notice, I assume.

Thanks again for your help.

Yes, any offence is the responsability of the landowner, not the occupier.Not much can be done to them but the landowner could face a high fine if they ignore any legal notices placed on them or the land.

 

[RogerL]

There may be offences involved if you don't have the landowner's permission but I doubt it as travellers don't get fined if they move on before the inevitable injunction expires.

 

[Guest]

It appears that travellers do not even have to move on. Evidently, regardless of the objections of everybody, including the local authority, the travellers in the field near Ms Tessa Jowell's country home have been given permission to stay for 4 years, 'just to allow them plenty of time to find a new site'.

Evidently it is all to do with Yuman Rights again.

The secret is to move in over a holiday, dig pits for septic tanks, tar some roads, and you are quids in. Having lots of kids also helps.

 

[Stephen_374341239]

H there

If you wanted to become a Caravan Club CL site and wished to have up to 5 caravan on your land do you have to get local authority ok first.

 

[Tram]

Hi Don,

does the 28days for 1 van rule apply to me having my van outside the front of my house (on my property) when it needs some work done on it?

I pay for storage but still have to bring it home to start and finish a trip and to do any repairs.

 

[donb]

Hi Tram

It depends on if you have anything in your deeds stating that you cannot park a caravan on your land as do some housing estates.Parking it on your own property within the curtilage has nothing to do with planning or licensing unless you are cooking in it and not just using it for sleeping as part of the house.

I know what you all mean about travellers, we try to move them on as soon as possible but are now being told we have to find sites for them to stay, most frustrating. I would recommend anyone looking into club five vans sites as they operate under an exemption certificate and do not need a licence from the local authority allthough some authorities may look at the planning side but as I deal with public health thats not my field of experience. I do have to point out that I can only speak from my experience and qualifications so any advice I give should be checked out with your own local authority to ensure you comply with their policies.

 

[Tram]

Thanks for that Don.

I think there is a restriction in the deeds but it's nice to know that the council aren't interested. I always square it with the neighbours if it's going to be parked for more than two days but it only happens a couple of times a year.

 

[JohnStGeorges]

As I understand it , it is a restriction on some house deeds stating that caravans should not be parked at the house. This is by way of a covenant usually placed at the time of construction by the housing developer. My solicitor told me that the developer is the only party who could seek to legally enforce the covenant, which they never do. Like all developers they are happy to take their money and run. I asked what action I should take if any other resident or party complained and he replied "Tell them to p**s off". There are now three caravans parked in front gardens in our close, nobody minds at all.

JohnW

 

[SteveW77]

"Tell them to p**s off".

I take it your solicitor specialises in disputes with neighbours.

Steve W