Caravan and Mobile Homes
Rossendale Borough Council is responsible for licensing caravan and mobile home sites within the borough where a site licence is required by law.
A site licence may be required where land is used for the stationing of caravans or mobile homes for residential, holiday or touring purposes. This includes permanent residential park home sites, holiday parks and relevant Gypsy and Traveller sites.
Where planning permission is required, it must be obtained before a site licence can be issued. A site licence must reflect the use and layout permitted by the planning permission.
Some sites are exempt from licensing under the relevant legislation, including certain sites operated by recognised organisations and sites that meet specific statutory exemption criteria.
View caravan and mobile home site licences
You can view the Council's register of caravan and mobile home site licences below.
Caravan and Mobile Home Sites Register | Rossendale Borough Council
For further information about caravan and mobile home site licensing, please contact the Licensing Team at licensing@rossendalebc.gov.uk.
Site rules register – Mobile Homes Act 2013
The Mobile Homes Act 2013 requires local authorities to maintain a public register of site rules for relevant protected sites.
Site rules are rules made by a site owner that apply to the residents of a park home site. The Council's role is to maintain the register of site rules submitted to it in accordance with the legislation.
The register contains the site rules received by the Council. Site owners are responsible for ensuring that the rules they submit are accurate and for notifying the Council of any changes in accordance with the relevant requirements.
To request information about site rules, please contact licensing@rossendalebc.gov.uk.
Fit and proper person requirements
Under the Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020, relevant protected sites operating on a commercial basis must have a fit and proper person responsible for managing the site, unless an applicable exemption applies.
The purpose of these requirements is to ensure that relevant residential park home sites are managed by suitable people.
The person responsible for managing the site may be the site owner or a person appointed to manage it on the owner's behalf.
Who needs to apply?
The site owner or the person responsible for the day-to-day management of a relevant site must ensure that the statutory requirements are met.
Applications may be required when a new site licence is sought, when responsibility for managing a site changes, or when an existing fit and proper person registration needs to be renewed or amended.
The Council assesses applications in accordance with the relevant legislation and considers matters including the applicant's conduct, relevant offences, compliance with legal requirements, financial standing and management arrangements.
How do I apply?
If you are responsible for a relevant residential park home site and need to apply to be included on the register of fit and proper persons, please contact the Licensing Team for the current application form, guidance and fee information.
Applicants must provide the information and supporting documents required by the legislation and the Council's application process.
Failure to comply with the applicable fit and proper person requirements may constitute a criminal offence.
Applying for a caravan site licence
Application requirements
Applicants must be entitled to use the land as a caravan site. Where planning permission is required, it must be in place before a site licence can be issued.
A licence will generally be issued to the landowner or the relevant company responsible for the site, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
Application evaluation process
Following the grant of any necessary planning permission, the Council may inspect the site and consider appropriate licence conditions.
Conditions may cover matters including:
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The types of caravans or mobile homes permitted on the site.
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The positioning of caravans and the use of other structures or vehicles.
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Fire safety arrangements and firefighting equipment.
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The provision and maintenance of sanitary facilities, services and equipment.
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The provision and condition of access roads and internal roadways.
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Public health, health and safety and the general management of the site.
This list is not exhaustive. Conditions will depend on the circumstances of the site and the relevant legislation.
Applicants and site operators must provide the information reasonably required for the licensing process and permit authorised officers to access the site in accordance with their legal powers.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must be entitled to use the land as a caravan site and must satisfy the relevant statutory requirements.
Where planning permission is required, it must be granted before a site licence can be issued. Other legal requirements, including any applicable fit and proper person requirements, must also be met.
Right of appeal
Appeal rights depend on the type of site and the decision made by the Council. Different procedures may apply to relevant protected sites under the Mobile Homes Act 2013 and to other caravan sites.
Any appeal must be made to the appropriate tribunal or court within the applicable time limit specified in the relevant legislation or decision notice.
For information about appeal rights, please refer to the decision notice or contact the Licensing Team.
Further information
For advice about caravan and mobile home site licences, fit and proper person applications or site rules, please contact:
Licensing Team
Rossendale Borough Council
Email: licensing@rossendalebc.gov.uk