Guidance

Social clubs: get an exemption to camp without a licence

Recreational organisations like caravan clubs or the Scouts can apply for an exemption to camp without a licence or planning permission.

From:
Natural England
Published
11 September 2014
Last updated
31 October 2024 — See all updates

You usually need a camping or caravan site licence and planning permission to use an area as a campsite. You can apply for an exemption if your organisation promotes leisure and recreation.

This allows you to camp for up to:

  • 60 days in a year
  • 42 days consecutively in a year

There are 2 main types of exemption certificate:

  • camping exemption certificates - for tents only
  • caravan exemption certificates - for caravans, campervans and motorhomes only

You’ll need both certificates if you want to allow tents and caravans to use the site at the same time.

Eligibility for an exemption

Your club is eligible for an exemption if:

  • it’s properly formed and has a constitution
  • the aims of your club include promoting leisure activities
  • the certificate will only be used by your club and its members
  • you can make sure members will abide by the rules of the certificate

Your club also needs to:

  • have a formal code of conduct for your members
  • show evidence of experience in running campsites
  • supervise and manage all sites that members use
  • nominate a member to keep the exemption certificate and be able to produce it when necessary

For the camping exemption, you’ll also need to show:

  • that the campsite will be well managed and kept clean
  • there will be no disturbance to neighbours

Your local council can remove your exemption, for example if they receive complaints.

How to apply

Complete the application form stating which type of exemption you want.

You can also use this form to renew an existing exemption.

Send the following documents with your application or request to renew:

  • a copy of the club’s constitution - including its purpose and the aims that promote leisure and recreation
  • a copy of the club’s code of conduct on headed paper - include a statement that all members follow it
  • details of club branches, and whether they share the same constitution and rules

Include these details if you’re applying for the first time:

  • details of when your organisation was formed (such as minutes of the first meeting)
  • your camping and caravanning history
  • relevant experience of organising caravan or camping events
  • names and contact details for at least 2 sites you have used previously

It can take up to 6 weeks to get your exemption certificate if this is your first application.

The certificate is free and it’s valid for 5 years.

You cannot transfer a certificate to any other organisation.

Where to send your form

If you need a certificate for more than one country (for example England and Wales) you need to send your application and documents to each office.

Certificates for England

Caravan and Camping Exemptions
Natural England Customer Engagement Team
National Delivery
Foss House
Kings Pool 
1-2 Peasholme Green
York
YO1 7PX

Telephone: 0300 060 3900

Email: caravan.camping@naturalengland.org.uk

Certificates for Wales

The Welsh Government - decisions branch
Planning division
Welsh Assembly Government
Cathay’s Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Telephone: 029 2082 3883

Email: nicholas.iles@gov.wales

Certificates for Scotland (caravan exemptions only)

Tourism and Hospitality Division
Directorate for Economic Development
Area 2G - South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ

Telephone: 0300 244 4000

Email: John.Telfer@gov.scot

Caravan club exemptions

There are 3 types of exemption for caravan clubs. You’ll need to state which exemption you want in your application form.

Supervised and occupied sites exemption

This is known as a paragraph 4 exemption.

This exemption allows you (for up to 28 days) to:

  • use the site
  • let non-members bring and stay in their own caravan (if agreed with the landowner)

To be eligible for this type of exemption, you need to:

  • have someone to supervise the site
  • be able to sign a legal contract with the landowner or manager
  • consult local councils and planning authorities before using a site - and not use a site if the council objects

Approved sites exemption

This is known as a paragraph 5 exemption.

With this exemption, your organisation can select sites for its members to stay on, by issuing certificates to the landowner or occupier. These certificates are valid for up to one year.

You’ll need to:

  • set a maximum limit of 5 caravans at a time for each site
  • have a system for consulting neighbours and the local licensing authority (Natural England, or the Scottish or Welsh governments) before issuing a certificate
  • have a system for inspecting the sites and dealing with complaints from the public
  • send copies of the certificates you issue to Natural England, or the Scottish or Welsh governments (depending on where your club is based)

Club meetings or rallies exemption

This is known as a paragraph 6 exemption.

With this exemption, your club can use a site for club meetings, rallies or events. These meetings need to:

  • last no longer than 5 days
  • be supervised by a member of the club
  • be open to members only

Clubs based outside mainland England or Wales

Exemption certificates do not apply in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Isles of Scilly.

In Scotland there’s no camping exemption, but you can apply for a caravan exemption.

Northern Ireland has a separate system for exemptions. Email: planning.service.hq@doeni.gov.uk

Current exemption holders

See the list of camping and caravan organisations holding an exemption certificate (ODS, 18.2 KB).

Updates to this page

Published 11 September 2014
Last updated 31 October 2024 + show all updates

  1. Address updated for where to send your form in England.

  2. We've replaced the current list of exemptions with the updated version.

  3. Updated the list of exemption certificates up to July 2024.

  4. Updated the list of exemption certificates up to February 2024.

  5. Updated list of exemption certificates for December 2023.

  6. Updated list of exemption certificates for November 2023.

  7. If you need a certificate for more than one country (for example England and Wales) you need to send your application and documents to each office.

  8. Updated list of exemption certificates for August 2023.

  9. Updated the approved sites exemption section. Removed an inaccurate sentence about non-members being able to stay on a site.

  10. We have updated the touring caravan and camping exemption certificates application and renewal form.

  11. Updated list of exemption certificates for April 2023.

  12. Updated list of exemption certificates for December 2022.

  13. Updated the contact email address for clubs based in Wales.

  14. Updated list of exemption certificates for September 2022.

  15. We've updated the list of exemption certificates for July 2022.

  16. Updated list of exemption certificates for March 2022.

  17. Updated list of exemption certificates for February 2022.

  18. We have updated the address and contact details for clubs in Scotland.

  19. We've updated the list of clubs that have exemption certificates.

  20. The telephone number for exemptions in England has changed.

  21. Change of contact address and telephone number for clubs in England.

  22. February update of exemption lists

  23. First published.

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