Setting up a Certificated Location

Setting up a Certificated Location

All you need to know about running a private, five pitch caravan and motorhome site

Sunset over Little Nook Farm in Wadsworth, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

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Decide what works for you

Running your own Certificated Location site can be a hugely gratifying experience and anyone with enough land can apply. Not only will you meet like-minded people from across the country looking for an enjoyable holiday at your site, your visitors will also bring welcome business, helping to support a local community.

For small businesses anywhere in the UK and Northern Ireland such as a pub, a farm or a golf course with an expanse of land that would fit up to five caravan or motorhomes, this is a great way to tempt new visitors to try your produce or facilities. Apply to be a part of the UK’s largest touring membership base via our online application form. 

Man in blue shirt and woman in red top sitting with two dogs on a picnic bench

Apply to be a CL owner

Join the UK’s largest certificated site network

  • Choose your own pricing, open hours, facilities and services
  • Keep 100% of your income (we won’t take commission)
  • Get your own page on our website, our UK sites app and in our bi-annual handbook
  • Say hello to members on our online forum
  • Use available support from head office and your CL adviser
Photo of Rob and Jeanette with dogs Max and Rosie at their Greetham Retreat Certified Location in Lincolnshire.

Apply today

What our CL owners say

"Initially we were wary of the impact of having people close to our working farm but those were totally unfounded. Friendships have already been made and several people have re-booked which is very encouraging"

Comments from the Club's 2017 CL Owners Survey

"People like to feel they are sharing our home environment and they take an interest in the horses"

Comments from the Club's 2015 CL Owners Survey

"80% percent of our visitors are regulars who return each year or more than once in the year"

Comments from the Club's 2015 CL Owners Survey

"We give visitors information sheets about the area and also a list of our favourite CLs"

Comments from the Club's 2015 CL Owners Survey

What do neighbours and members say

"As owners of the restaurant next door, it will be good for our business and I hope we will be good for theirs in return"

Feedback in response to a 2018 CL application

"This [CL] will give others the chance to stay in beautiful countryside which is easily accessible from a main arterial route. "

Feedback in response to a 2017 CL application

"The house behind me is applying for a CL – I think for the area it will be delightful. The houses along the lane sell various produce and eggs, and they could be grateful for the additional custom."

Feedback in response to a 2018 CL application

"We fully support the plans for caravans and motorhomes. It is a lovely setting and it will be nice to see the area put to good use"

Feedback in response to a 2018 CL application

The Club’s role in certification

At the Club, we have the ability to issue CL certificates to landowners to run small five pitch touring sites, for the exclusive use of our members across the UK and Northern Ireland. This is because we are an exempted organisation under both The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and the Caravans Act (Northern Ireland) 1963.

Information - Did you know?

The Club plays an important role in the conservation and care of the countryside.  We encourage the planting of indigenous trees and shrubs where screening is required on a proposed site.

Who usually stays on a Certificated Location site?

CLs are small, privately-owned caravan and motorhome sites that can only allocate pitches for up to a maximum of five caravan or motorhomes at a time. The land is certificated annually by us for the exclusive use of Club members. For more information about how Certificated Locations are run, take a look at our FAQs section. 

Do I need caravan site planning permission to set up a Certificated Location?

You'll need to make sure you have:

  • Level land of at least ½ acre (if you plan to have up to five pitches)
  • Safe access for caravans/motorhomes

Usually you won’t need any planning permission to set up a five pitch caravan and motorhome Certificated Location site. However, if you need to construct buildings or other structures, or need to carry out any engineering works such as ground formation, all-weather surfacing, septic tank or effluent treatment plant installation you should approach your local planning authority to discuss the proposed works and they will advise you if planning permission is required. Work of his nature may be necessary before the Club is willing to grant a CL certificate. More information is available in our handy guide: Download our guide to setting up a CL

CLs cannot accept any more than five caravan or motorhomes at a time so if you are looking to set up a caravan site that accommodates more than five, then head to www.gov.uk/caravan-site-licence for more information.

Community feedback

If you live near to a proposed CL site, you may be contacted directly by the CL applicant or you might see a notice at the entrance to a proposed CL inviting anyone who feels they may have relevant and factual information about the application, to share it with the Caravan and Motorhome Club. You'll be able to do this by using our online feedback form or you can request a feedback form by post.