Certificate of Lawfulness Applications for Mobile Homes in Gardens
Packages start from as little as £350 for a DIY option. Alternatively, for £750, we can act as your agent and manage the entire application process. We also offer a unique no-win-no-fee service, only for mobile homes in gardens, at £1,500. If you are not awarded a Certificate of Lawfulness, we will refund you in total.
| SERVICE | DIY | PAY UPFRONT | NO-WIN-NO-FEE |
| BESPOKE DESIGN AND PLAN DRAWINGS | PREVIOUS PLAN | BESPOKE PLAN | BESPOKE PLAN |
| APPLICATION FORM | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED |
| COVER LETTER | EXCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED |
| SUPPORTING STATEMENT | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED |
| CONFORMITY REPORT | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED |
| SITE PLAN | EXCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED |
| COUNCIL FEE (USUALLY £200-275 | EXCLUDED | EXCLUDED | INCLUDED |
| UPLOAD TO PLANNING PORTAL AS AGENT + MONITORING AND RESPONSE STRATEGY | EXCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED |
| PRICE | £350 | £750 | £1,500 |
- Bespoke Design and Plan Drawings: Detailed bespoke plan drawings of the mobile home, including floor plans and elevations, at a scale of 1:100. These drawings should accurately represent the design, dimensions, and appearance of the proposed mobile home. We also supply a detailed and comprehensive price for the home working to your specified budget.
- Application Form: A completed application form specific to your local planning authority, accurately filled out with all necessary details about your proposal
- Cover Letter: A detailed cover letter that introduces your project, outlining the nature of the proposed use or development and its adherence to legal frameworks. This letter should clearly state that the application is for a CLOPUD and summarise the contents of your application package.
- Supporting Statement: A comprehensive supporting statement or report that addresses the key criteria for CLOPUD applications, referencing relevant laws, policies, and precedents that support the lawfulness of the proposed use or development
- Conformity Report for the Definition of a Caravan: A specialised report establishing that the proposed mobile home meets the legal criteria set forth for caravans, addressing construction, mobility, and dimensional standards as per the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Acts 1960 and associated legislation.
- Site Plan: A detailed site plan at a specified scale (usually 1:500 or 1:200) showing the proposed location of the mobile home within the property. This should clearly demarcate the property boundaries, the main dwelling, and any other significant features of the site
- Fee: The appropriate fee, which varies depending on the local planning authority. This is required for the processing of your application.
- Monitoring and Response Strategy: A systematic plan for checking the application's progress and responding promptly to any queries or updates from the planning authority. This includes preparing to supply additional information or clarifications as required to facilitate a positive evaluation process.
Contact us today to discover how we can help you secure your Certificate of Lawful Development and start bringing your vision to life.
Avoiding Planning Permission - How to Legally Place a Mobile Home in Your Garden
It is often surprising to learn that the laws relating to touring caravans (the type towed behind a car) also apply to mobile homes and static caravans, which can be significantly larger and suitable for year-round residential accommodation. Caravans, including mobile homes up to 65 x 22 ft, can typically be sited within the immediate
garden of a property without planning permission, provided they are used by members of the household as additional incidental accommodation, rather than as a separate independent dwelling. Mobile homes and caravans are not legally considered ‘buildings’. Instead, they are classified as items of movable personal property, known as ‘chattels’. As such, there is generally no restriction on keeping a caravan within a residential garden. Planning legislation instead focuses on the use of land and whether ‘development’ has occurred. Where a mobile home is positioned within the residential curtilage (the defined garden area) of a property, and its use remains ancillary to the main dwelling, planning permission is not usually required. This often applies even in conservation areas or Green Belt locations. In rare cases, restrictive covenants may exist within the property deeds that limit or prevent the use of caravans. However, in most situations, where the mobile home is used by family members or those connected to the main household, planning permission is not required. This is because the siting of a caravan does not constitute development, and the overall use of the land remains unchanged.
Location Is Key: The mobile home must be located within the immediate residential garden of the property. It cannot be placed on paddocks, fields, or areas of land that are separate from the main garden, even if they fall within the same ownership boundary. For clarity and peace of mind, we strongly recommend obtaining a Certificate of Lawfulness from the local planning authority. This formal document confirms that the proposed use does not require planning permission. Using a mobile home as a residential ‘granny annexe’ is a highly effective way to increase both the value and usability of your property without the need for full planning approval.
A Caravan in Your Garden – The Basics: * The location must be within the residential garden
* The structure must meet the legal definition of a caravan
* The use must be ancillary to the main dwelling
There are three key factors that determine whether a caravan can be sited in your garden without planning permission:
Location: The caravan must be positioned within land that forms part of the domestic garden surrounding the house. In most cases this is straightforward, although
it can be less clear in rural properties or where land is divided into separate areas. Domestic gardens may include driveways, parking areas and even features such as
tennis courts. However, paddocks, fields and unmanaged land are unlikely to be considered part of the residential curtilage, even if they are within the same ownership.
Caravan Definition: While the term ‘caravan’ is not strictly defined within planning law, the definition set out in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960
(as amended) is typically applied. To qualify, the structure must:
* Be designed or adapted for human habitation
* Be capable of being moved, either by towing or on a trailer
Use: The caravan must be used as part of the main dwelling and not as a separate, independent residence. It should be occupied by members of the same household or
those connected to it, such as family members, carers or domestic staff. If used for living accommodation, it must be located close enough to the main house to allow for
regular and convenient access.
Caravans can also be used for a range of ancillary purposes, including:
* Family or Guest accommodation
* Home offices
* Hobby spaces
* Storage