What are the basic requirements for setting up a campsite?

In order to run a campsite through The Camping and Caravanning Club there are a few requirements that your site will need to have:

1. A good sized camping area – at least half an acre of land that is fairly level and well maintained
2. Safe access – for cars, caravans and motorhomes, when entering and leaving the site
3. Drinking water – within 100 metres of the site, with appropriate drainage
4. An alternative water supply – a separate water supply is needed to clean chemical toilet cassettes
5. Sanitation – a suitable facility for the emptying of chemically treated toilets must be provided, called a Chemical Disposal Point (CDP)
6. Dry waste disposal – a dustbin which is regularly emptied
7. Emergency notices – on-site notices are required to tell visitors what to do in the event of an emergency
8. Public liability insurance – you will need to ensure you have adequate insurance to protect the public on your site
9. Additional facilities – facilities such as hard-standings and electric hook-ups will be welcomed by our members, but are not a necessary requirement.

The camping area

Sites with half an acre or more of ground suitable for camping will be considered for certification. There is no limit to the size of land that can be used, although you must tell us the size of the proposed land upon application. On an ordinary certificate there is a limit of five caravans or motorhomes and ten tents per campsite. If you have a large amount of land that could accommodate more than this then the Club will be able to support you in making the most of your space.

If you want to mark out specific pitches, the Club would recommend that pitches are no less than 11 metres x 11 metres and have suitable access. A gap of six metres must be adhered to between camping units, regardless of type. Vehicles and other equipment may be placed in the six metre space between units, as long as there is always three metres clear space between the car and the neighbouring unit to restrict any potential spread of fire.

Livestock must be removed from the site 28 days before your site opens and the site must remain free of livestock while open. The area must be kept clear of any machinery, chemicals or other hazards.

Access

The main road to the site should be wide enough to allow two vehicles towing caravans to pass safely. If the public highway is single track, there should be adequate passing bays to accommodate a car and caravan.

The exit from the site to the main road should provide an unobstructed view of at least 100 metres in either direction, and be accessible to all campers. A caravanner should be able to turn into the site without causing problems to on-coming traffic. Generally, the entrances should be level, well maintained and be suitable for use in wet conditions.

If the approach requires the use of a shared drive/private road, you will need to obtain written agreement from all parties that this can be used by campers before a certificate will be issued.

Drinking water

There must be a marked drinking water supply installed with a nonreturn valve and in accordance with Water Authority requirements, located within 100 metres of the camping pitches. If this is spring or well water, you will need an appropriate test certificate.

An alternative water supply

A separate water supply is also needed. This should be situated in close proximity to your chemical disposal point (see below), as this is a requirement for the cleaning of chemical toilet cassettes. Water Authorities interpret current water regulations differently; we advise that you speak to your Local Authority to ensure all regulations are met. A useful source of information on this subject can be found from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme website: www.wras.co.uk.

Sanitation

A chemical disposal and waste water point, which may need to be a sealed system, needs to be provided in agreement with your local Environmental Health Officer and Planning Officer.

If the chemical disposal point is a toilet connected to the mains drain, you must also check with the Water Authority that it is acceptable. The toilet can only be used for this purpose and must be labelled accordingly.

If you are installing a chemical disposal point on your land, most major building suppliers will be able to offer systems suitable for use. Please check with your Local Authority to confirm if planning permission is required before you start any work. The Club can provide you with a factsheet on this topic.

Dry waste disposal

A collection point for dry waste must be provided on site. A dustbin with attached lid is suitable for this purpose and must be emptied at least once a week or more often if necessary.

Emergency notices

On-site notices should tell visitors the action to be taken in the event of an emergency, the location of the nearest public telephone box and details of emergency services. Site regulations should also be prominently displayed.

Public liability insurance

Prior to the issue of an exemption certificate, and on an annual basis, you will need to produce a certificate covering your site for public liability insurance. This ensures that any incident that occurs as a result of your land being used by our members is covered.

You may wish to consider insuring through Club Care, the insurance arm of the Club. This is administered by Vantage Insurance Services which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. This cost effective insurance provides cover for claims made against you by other people for injury or damage to their property up to an amount of £1m. To find out more you can contact Club Care on 01277 243014 or visit www.clubcareinsurance.com/public-liability-insurance.

Additional facilities

While these facilities are not required, they are likely to encourage more members to visit your site:

• Electrical hook-ups
  It is becoming more popular for Certificated Site owners to offer electricity on pitches. While this can be attractive to many members, you should be aware of the cost of running and maintaining the facilities prior to installation. All sites offering hook-ups will need to submit an annual test certificate for the supply of electricity to the pitches.
• Toilet and shower blocks
  Offering toilets and showers will encourage more tent campers to visit your site; however these should meet the high expectations of our members. Planning permission will be required unless existing facilities can be used.
• Hardstandings
  For sites wishing to open all-year round, hardstandings can prove popular with our members as these provide a better camping environment in wet conditions. We advise all site owners wishing to add hardstandings to contact their Local Authority to see whether planning permission is required.

Under the terms of your certificate, you don’t need to apply for a site licence or planning permission to operate as a Certificated Site. Different Local Authorities can, however, interpret the planning requirements differently; therefore we advise all site owners adding facilities to their land, such as a chemical disposal point, water pipes or hardstandings, to contact their local planning office to confirm their requirements before beginning work.

If you need help and advice during the set-up process then our Exempted team is here to help. They are available on 024 7647 5198 or email exemptions@thefriendlyclub.co.uk.