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Leisure

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Camping certificates

Section 269 of the Public Health Act 1936 gives power of local authority to control use of moveable dwellings. The requirement under the Act to obtain a licence for camp sites is applicable only where the land is used for camping for more than 42 consecutive days at a time and more than 60 days in any period of 12 months.

How does an organisation qualify for a camping certificate?

An organisation is eligible for a certificate if:

  • it is formally constituted
  • encouraging and promoting recreational activities are among its objectives.
  • it is applying for the certificate in its own right

How do we apply?

Certificates are issued by Natural England, the Scottish Executive, and the National Assembly for Wales.

The Scottish Executive will consider applications from organisations based in Scotland and whose activities are mainly in Scotland. The National Assembly for Wales will consider applications from organisations which are based in Wales and whose activities are mainly in Wales. Natural England will consider all other applications. Any organisation which wishes to apply for a certificate for activities in Northern Ireland should contact the Department of the Environment for details.

The certificate can be used by the organisation named on the certificate in the issuing country only. These certificates cannot be used in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Isles of Scilly.

The certificate is valid for 5 years, and is issued to a named club for their exclusive use and is not transferable to any other organisation.

PLEASE NOTE : The previous guidance and application forms for camping and caravan exemption certificates have been replaced with a single updated guide. The guide includes a revised application form

List of exempted organisations

A list of organisations exempted PDF under the Public Health Act 1936 can be downloaded here or obtained from the addresses shown below. Please note the list is correct as at the date shown in the heading. Any subsequent amendments will be reflected in the next version.

Points of contact

For further information on exemption certificates or to request a hard copy of the guidance and application form please contact one of the following:

Sharon Sharpe/Paul Ackers
Natural England
Camping and Caravanning Exemptions Team
Ground Floor Zone A
Eastbrook
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge
CB2 8DR
Tel: Sharon Sharpe 01223 533640, Paul Ackers 01223 533562
Fax: 01223 533531

If you have any queries, please email us at: caravan.camping@naturalengland.org.uk

In other parts of the UK

For organisations in Scotland, camping mainly in Scotland:
The Scottish Executive
Housing Markets and Supply Division 1
Area 1-H South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ

For organisations in Wales, camping mainly in Wales:
Welsh Assembly Government
Planning Division P1
Department for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF1 3NQ

For organisations in Northern Ireland, camping mainly in Northern Ireland:
Policy and Legislation Unit
Planning Services Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
Belfast
BT2 7BN
Tel: 028 9041 6700
Fax: 028 9041 6802