Licence and permit applications - Caravan Site Licence

To run a caravan site in Midlothian you must have been granted a licence from Midlothian Council. 

There are two types of licence, if you have a mixed-use site you will need two separate licences.

Non Residential, touring and holiday caravan sites – a site with caravans that are not permanently on site or occupied only temporarily. These are licensed under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, Part 1.
There is no fee to apply for a touring/holiday caravan site licence.
 

Residential mobile home caravan sites – a site used year-round with mobile homes occupied as a sole or main home. Theses are licensed under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, Part 1A.

To be eligible for a licence:

• The site licence holder (and anyone directly managing the site) must be a fit and proper person
• The site to be licenced must have planning permission for use as a relevant permanent site.

Site licensing conditions are attached to the licence that the licence holder must follow.  Additional conditions may be applied to specific sites. Failure to comply with the conditions of a licence may result in enforcement action.

There are exceptions that do not require a site licence. If you require further information please contact environmentalhealth@midlothian.gov.uk or phone 0131 271 3559.

It is an offence under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 to run a caravan site without the appropriate licence.

Legislation

Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 (legislation.gov.uk)

The Licensing of Relevant Permanent Sites (Scotland) Regulations 2016

Download and complete the relevant application form:

• First Licence
• Renew Licence - every 5 years
• Transfer Licence

Once your application has been received, with all relevant documentation and payment of any fees due, a decision will be made within 3 months. In the event that Midlothian Council fails to make a decision within the 3 month period, the site licence will deemed to have been granted. First licence and renewal applications involve a site inspection by officers to ensure the site occupier is complying with proposed licence conditions and or existing licence conditions.

For each of these application types a ‘fit and proper person’ assessment is carried out.

Appeal a refused application

The applicant can appeal to the Sheriff Court if a final decision is made to refuse the application for granting or renewal of a site licence.

foodandsafety@midlothian.gov.uk

0131 271 3559