Planning Permission for Park Homes & Residential Caravan Sites
Planning permission for park homes and residential caravan sites requires a clear understanding of planning policy, site licensing and occupancy conditions. We provide practical advice to deliver successful schemes.
Speak to our team for clear, practical advice on your project.
Planning for Park Homes & Residential Sites
We provide specialist planning advice for park homes and residential caravan developments, supporting landowners, operators and developers from initial feasibility through to planning permission and delivery.
These developments require careful consideration of planning policy, site licensing, design, layout and long-term management. Our role is to develop clear, deliverable strategies that maximise site potential while meeting regulatory requirements.
We support a range of schemes, from new park home developments to the intensification, reconfiguration or change of use of existing sites.
Holiday vs Residential Use
A key distinction for park home developments is whether a site is approved for holiday use or full residential occupation.
Holiday use is typically more flexible but subject to occupancy restrictions
Residential use requires specific planning permission and site licensing, often with tighter policy controls
We advise on the most appropriate strategy, including applications to remove or vary occupancy conditions where appropriate.
Why Choose Us
Proven success securing planning permission for new park home sites, extensions, redevelopments and change-of-use proposals
Full-service support covering planning strategy, site layout design, access, drainage, ecology, landscape and sustainability
Specialists in rural and edge-of-settlement sites, planning policy, housing need and low-impact residential design
Deep understanding of park home licensing requirements, infrastructure needs and long-term site operation
Designs that maximise land value, optimise capacity and create attractive, high-quality living environments
Trusted by private park operators, estates, developers and national residential park home groups
Our Services
✔ Site Appraisal & Feasibility - Clear, commercially driven advice on site potential and the likelihood of securing permission.
✔ Masterplanning & Park Home Layout Design - Optimised layouts for residential park homes.
✔ Full Planning Applications - Preparation of robust, policy-compliant submissions.
✔ Ecology, BNG & Sustainability - Coordination of ecology surveys, biodiversity net gain (BNG), habitat enhancements and sustainable design.
✔ Planning Policy & Park Home Expertise - Specialist knowledge of housing policy, rural planning frameworks, site licensing.
✔ End-to-End Project Support - From early feasibility and concept design through to planning approval, conditions, discharge and implementation advice.
✔ Change of Use & Redevelopment - Transforming land or existing sites into high-value residential park home developments.
Unlocking Complex Sites & Maximising Land Value
We specialise in resolving the planning challenges that often hold park home projects back - from historic occupancy restrictions and outdated permissions to complex site constraints and limits on year-round use. Our team prepares detailed, policy-led planning applications that support extensions, redevelopments and new park home sites, helping landowners and operators unlock full commercial value and deliver high-quality, permanent residential communities.
→ Contact Fytche-Taylor Planning
Speak to our specialists for a consultation or site appraisal.
Fytche-Taylor: Your partner in Park Home planning success
"Transform your vision into reality with Fytche-Taylor, the industry leader in leisure planning. We’ve empowered top-tier leisure resorts and park home sites to thrive through strategic growth and investment. Our unmatched expertise delivers exceptional results, securing planning permissions, navigating complex constraints, and unlocking new opportunities. Connect with us today for expert guidance to expand your site or create a stunning new holiday destination!"
Oliver Fytche-Taylor
Managing Director
Case Studies: Expertly Planned & Delivered
The Elms Retirement Village, Torksey. Successful LDC and planning approval securing lawful use, new park homes and enhanced landscaping to support long-term site growth.
Eco Lodge Park – 14-Lodge Development, Lincolnshire. A landscape-led holiday lodge scheme featuring three ponds, wildflower meadows, woodland belts and low-impact design.
Lakeside Park – Nottinghamshire. High-quality lodge accommodation around an established fishing lake, creating year-round tourism value and an enhanced visitor experience.
FAQs | Park Homes - Planning Specialists
Knowing the opportunities and restrictions
Planning is complex, and putting together a successful planning application requires time, investment and specialist knowledge. Getting the right people behind your project from the start is therefore incredibly important - and this is where we can help!
For instance, whilst many lodge developments typically have the appearance of a self-contained single storey building or wood cabin elevated from the ground, and despite looking distinctly different from a caravan, in planning terms most park homes and lodges qualify as caravans, as defined in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act.
This broadly applies to any lodge built on a chassis base which is then assembled and manoeuvred into position on site. This requires a specific approach when it comes to putting the planning application together that is different from other forms of development, such as building permanent buildings or homes.
Thinking of adding Fishing, Nature Walk or Bird Sanctuary?
If you want to compliment your new lodges or park home site with water features, fishing lakes or extensive landscaping, all of these could trigger additional planning requirements too. Fear not - with our extensive experience in water feature design we have this aspect covered too.
Is a holiday lodge a caravan? This is What the Legislation Says…
Section 29 (1) of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 defines a caravan as: “… Any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved from one place to another (whether being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer) and any motor vehicle so designed or adapted but does not include: (A) Any railway rolling stock which is for the time being on rails forming part of a system, or (B) Any tent”
Is size limited? The caravan definition doesn’t just apply to single lodge units that are effectively ‘one piece’ – but can also be applied to much larger twin lodges that are built as separate parts and assembled together on site. Section 13 (1) of the Caravan Sites Act 1968, which deals with twin-unit caravans. Section 13 (1) provides that: “A structure designed or adapted for human habitation which:
(A) Is composed of not more than two sections separately constructed and designed to be assembled on a site by means of bolts, clamps and other devices; and
(B) Is, when assembled, physically capable of being moved by road from one place to another (whether being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer), shall not be treated as not being (or have been) a caravan within the means of Part 1 of the Caravan Sites Control of Development Act 1960 by reason only that it cannot lawfully be moved on a highway when assembled”.
What is allowed? To meet the current definition of caravan, the regulations state (last updated in 2006) that:
(a) Length (exclusive of any drawbar) 20m (65.6FT)
(b) Width: 6.8m (22.3ft)
(c) Overall height (measured internally from the floor at the lowest level to the ceiling at the highest level) 3.05m (10ft)
All structures classed as caravans must be movable in one whole unit when assembled. It is not necessary for a caravan to be towed, only that it is capable of being moved by road, if required.
