If you are considering having accommodation on your land which will be used as sleeping quarters it may be beneficial to go down the route of classifying the building as a “mobile home”.

There are other advantages too – mobile homes do not currently attract VAT!

 

Definition

The definition of a mobile home gives a maximum size of 20m x 6.7m (66ft x 22ft) external and 3.048m internal ceiling height. There is no external roof height (this was overlooked in the original Caravan Act of 1968). The unit can be constructed on site, but must have the ability to be moved in two halves, capable of being moved from one place to another (whether by being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer) and any motor vehicle so designed or adapted

(See also Caravan Sites Act 1968 Statutory Instruments Amendment 1st October 2006 No. 2374).

 

Construction Test

The mobile home should be  "composed of not more than two sections separately constructed and designed to be assembled on a site by means of bolts, clamps or other devices".  There is no requirement however that the process of creating two separate sections must take place away from the site on which they are then joined together, only that “the act of joining the two sections together should be the final act of assembly."

 

Mobility Test

Section 13(1)(b) of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 must be satisfied also. To fall within the definition the structure must be capable of being moved by road from one place to another in its assembled state. The fact that a private drive may be too narrow to allow the passage of a mobile home in its assembled state along it is not necessarily a problem.  It is the structure itself that must possess the necessary qualities, not the means of access. It is not necessary for it to be capable of being towed, only that it is capable of being moved by road.

 

There are many factors to take into consideration with regards to planning permission. Some of these factors include where the mobile home is going to be sited, how long it is there for and what it is going to be used for.

 

We must advise that the information provided is only a guideline and we strongly recommend anybody siting a mobile home anywhere other than on a park to contact their local planning authority to get further information.

 

For mobile home applications we will / can draft a letter to your local council free of charge.

Some minor developments do not require planning permission as they would have little or no impact on the local environment. These developments are known as “permitted development”...

If you are considering having accommodation on your land which will be used as sleeping quarters it may be beneficial to go down the route of classifying the building as a “mobile home”.

Outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for  planning permission, provided all the conditions are met:

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