Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked Questions

How many pitches can I have under a certified location?

Certificate is valid for up to 5 caravans and 10 tents.

Is a pod or shepherds hut classed as a caravan?

Yes, a caravan is defined as a mobile unit not exceeding 20m long by 6.8m wide and 3.05m tall from floor to ceiling. No more than two sections bolted or clamped as a final act of assembly capable of human habitation.

Units being placed on the site must be able to moved. We do not allow the use of a concrete foundation as this will fix the unit and make it permanent or hardstanding as this will change the structure of the land.

You must be able to demonstrate you can move anything associated with the glamp site.

How many days can the site operate?

The site can operate 365 days per year

How long can a guest stay on site?

Guests can stay up to 28 days consecutively, and not more than 42 days in a year.

Do I need to use all 15 pitches?

The certified location benefits from two government legislations: The Public Health act 1936, and the Control of Caravan Site act 1960.

You can apply for tents or caravans or both. You do not need to use all of the pitches granted under the certificate.

Do guests have to be members of Woodland Champions Club?

Yes. All guests need to become or be members of Woodland Champions Club to use the facilities of the site. Our camping membership is free.

Do Woodland Champions allow pop up tents or traditional white touring caravans?

Only with express consent from the club secretary, most applications for these types of units will be rejected.

Are DBS checks required?

Yes. DBS checks are required to run a certified site and for the membership to be valid.

What is the cost involved?

The consultation fee is £500. We will look over your application and consult with your local council about your plans. If your application is declined, you will not be entitled to a refund. Your application can be declined for a number of reasons, as listed below in ‘What prevents an exemption from being issued’, the final decision is made by the Club secretary. The site membership fee is £300 and is renewed annually. If the site breaches terms and conditions or the club constitution and has their membership cancelled this will not be refundable .

What other fees are payable?

Some local authorities are charging fees under section 77 of the habitat and species regulation. The fees vary and can be given different names by the local authority. This fee is not set by us, and as such, is liable to be paid by you if you wish to continue with your application. We will inform you if your local authority has requested your site to pay this.

Sometimes extra reports might be required. These might include a traffic survey or environmental assessment. These are not covered under the club fees.

What prevents an exemption from being issued?

Article 4 directive that has removed permitted development.

Article 3

Curtilage of a dwelling house.

Sssi site (site of special scientific interest)

Sometimes conservation area

Not meeting club objectives

Dishonest behaviour

Neighbours objections

Poor access

Flood zone 3

Flood zone 2 can require additional reports

Can my membership be withdrawn?

Membership can be withdrawn without notice, some examples are:

abusive behaviour to club volunteers or members.
Enforcement notices being issued in relation to operational development.
Breaching terms and conditions
Complaint from members.

How long does the process take?

The application and consultation process takes between 28 days and 2 months.

Is there a restriction on advertising?

All sites have to sign up with Outdore The booking system for campsites and glampsites, but you are allowed to sign up with Airbnb and booking.com or any other booking agent as long as your booking agent is linked with Outdore.

How does the club monitor sites?

We may conduct site visits without notice. We also use virtual meetings to check on sites and that they are meeting club standards and not breaching planning control.

How does the club judge if a unit is mobile?

Upon a site visit in person or virtually, we may ask for the unit and to be moved. Anything that is ancillary or connected to the glamping unit will have a 24 hour period to be removed off site. Failure to do this will result in the certificate being withdrawn. The creation of any structure or hard standing in connection with the glampsite is seen as operation development and is not permitted.

Are hot tubs aloud?

Yes, the club allows hot tubs.

Bishta, who are industry regulators, set standards for best practices. If a hot tub in a business use setting is managed properly, there should be low levels of Chlorine or Bromine in the water before discharge.

A jacuzzi shouldn’t be used at all for guests on a site, as the chemicals used to keep it clean cannot be discharged onto the ground safely. Wood fired hot tubs are recommended as they don’t use chemicals.

What areas do we cover?

England, Wales and Scotland

Useful links

Starting a Campsite - UK Law inc Class BC part 4, 60 day permitted development rights

www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

How to Start a Campsite or Glamping Site

Wanderlust Camping Club | Promoting Enjoyment Of The Outdoors

Legislation links

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2023

Flood map for planning - GOV.UK

Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/8/contents