🌿 Frequently Asked Questions — Woodland Champions Club

Below are the most common questions about glamping exemption certificates, membership, and running a certified woodland glampsite under Woodland Champions Club.

🏕️ Do guests have to be members?

Yes. All guests must be members of Woodland Champions Club to stay at a certified woodland glampsite. Camping membership is completely free and can be obtained easily before arrival.

🌲 How many pitches can I have under a certified location?

Each glamping exemption certificate allows up to five caravans or glamping pods and ten tent pitches.

🛖 Is a pod or shepherd’s hut classed as a caravan?

Yes. Under UK legislation, a caravan is defined as a movable unit no longer than 20 metres, 6.8 metres wide, and 3.05 metres high, made of up to two sections bolted or clamped together on site.

All glamping units must remain movable – fixed concrete foundations are not permitted as they make a unit permanent.

You must be able to demonstrate that any structure or item on site can be moved if required.

📅 How many days can the site operate?

Certified Woodland Champions glampsites can operate 365 days per year.

⏳ How long can a guest stay?

Guests may stay for up to 28 consecutive days, and for no more than 42 days in a calendar year.

🌳 Do I have to use all fifteen pitches?

No. You do not have to use all the pitches granted under your exemption certificate.

Your certified site benefits from two key UK laws – the Public Health Act 1936 and the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 – and may be certified for tents, caravans or both. 

🚐 Are pop-up tents or touring caravans allowed?

Only with express consent from the Club Secretary.

Most applications for these types of temporary units are unlikely to be approved.

🧾 Are DBS checks required?

Yes. DBS checks are required to operate a certified glampsite and for membership validity.

💷 What costs are involved?

  • Consultation fee: £500 – covers your application review and consultation with the local council. (Non-refundable if declined.)

  • Annual site membership: £300 – renewed each year.

Applications may be declined for reasons listed under “What prevents an exemption from being issued”.

If a site breaches club rules or its constitution, membership may be cancelled without refund.

💰 What other fees might apply?

Some local authorities charge additional fees under Section 77 of the Habitats and Species Regulations.

These vary by area and are payable directly to your local authority.

Occasionally, extra reports may be required, such as:

  • Traffic surveys

  • Environmental assessments

These are only needed in special circumstances, for example in flood zones, conservation areas or where highways raise an objection.

🚫 What prevents an exemption from being issued?

A glamping exemption cannot be granted if:

  • The land is subject to an Article 4 Direction or Article 3 restriction removing permitted development rights

  • The land lies within the curtilage of a dwelling-house

  • The site is within or near an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), particularly Band 2 zones  (MAGIC maps)

  • It is within a conservation area where development rights have been removed

  • Club objectives are not met

  • Dishonest or misleading information has been supplied

  • There are neighbour objections

  • Access is inadequate or unsafe

  • The land is in Flood Zone 3, or Flood Zone 2 without supporting reports

⚠️ Can my membership be withdrawn?

Yes. Membership may be withdrawn without notice for reasons including:

  • Abusive or inappropriate behaviour towards club staff, volunteers or members

  • Enforcement notices relating to operational development

  • Breaching club terms and conditions

  • Verified complaints from members or the public

⏱️ How long does the application process take?

Usually between 28 days and two months, depending on your local authority and site conditions.

📢 Can I advertise my glampsite?

Yes – but there are rules. All certified sites must register with Outdore, the booking system for campsites and glampsites. The booking system for campsites and glampsites.

You may also list on Airbnb and booking.com or other platforms, provided your listings are linked with Outdore.

🔍 How does the club monitor sites?

We conduct both unannounced site visits and virtual inspections to ensure continued compliance with exemption rules.

These checks confirm that your site remains mobile, safe and consistent with club standards.

🛞 How does the club determine if a unit is mobile?

During inspections (in person or online), we may ask for a unit to be moved to demonstrate mobility.

Any connected or ancillary structure must be removable within 24 hours.

Creating hardstanding, decking or permanent foundations is classed as operational development and is not permitted under exemption terms.

♨️ Are hot tubs allowed?

Yes – wood-fired hot tubs are permitted and recommended for their low environmental impact.

Hot tubs must comply with BISHTA industry standards to ensure safe water management.

Chemical-based jacuzzis are not permitted, as wastewater cannot safely be discharged to the ground.

📍 What areas do you cover?

We currently certify and support glamping exemption sites in England, Wales and Scotland.

🧭 Do you offer planning advice?

Woodland Champions Club is not a planning advice service.

We issue exemption certificates and provide guidance within that framework, but we do not offer formal planning consultancy.

🗓️ Is the Outdore booking system mandatory?

Yes. All certified sites must register with Outdore, although it does not need to be your main channel manager.

🏡 Additional guidance for applicants

  • Woodland Champions does not arbitrate or provide legal guidance in neighbour or local planning authority disputes.

  • Do not begin any works until your application has been approved – starting prematurely may harm your application.

  • Always consult with neighbours before applying to reduce objections.

  • The FAQ guidance above is designed to save time and money; withholding information may delay or jeopardise your exemption application

 

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

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/pdfs/uksi_20150596_en.pdf

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5and1Edw8/26/49/section/269

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/2/pdfs/asp_20030002_en.pdf