Setting Up a CL

Slope Soarer
Slope Soarer Forum Participant Posts: 18
edited September 2018 in Certificated Locations #1

Hi

I have the opportunity of buying a small (1/2 acre) parcel of land in Wales which would be suitable for a CL.

I would propose to offer minimum facilities (as basically I wouldn't initially get permission for a toilet block at this stage), i.e. mains water and electricity.

I would like to offer hard standings (but not essential) and would need to provide some form a point for chemical toilet waste (small septic tank?) which is a necessity for CL approval. Am I right in assuming that I wouldn't need planning permission for these basic elements?

I have spoken to the local planning department, though they were unsure about these points suggesting I need to go through a pre-planning site survey which would cost. I was a bit disappointed on their vague advice and am reluctant to spend on pre-planning advice for something which essentially shouldn't need planning, at the same time I don't want to ruffle to many feathers in case I do need get them onside at some stage!

Any thoughts appreciated at this point.

Regards

Simon

Comments

  • DaveCyn
    DaveCyn Club Member Posts: 339 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #2

    I would suggest you contact the CL department at the Club & get the correct information straight from them.

  • Slope Soarer
    Slope Soarer Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited September 2018 #3

    Fair point, will do: )

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #4

    In the meantime just google Setting up a CL. It will give you the rules, the advice, other people's' experience, FAQs, and an application form. 

  • Slope Soarer
    Slope Soarer Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited September 2018 #5

    Thanks eurotraveller I have read that. 

    I've now spoken to someone at CC regarding my initial questions but now have further questions (single track road, with some passing places) which they couldn't answer until a site visit is done. Unfortunately a site visit can't be completed until I own the land.

    It may be more suitable as a Camping and Caravan CS as I could restrict it to tents only and so therefore access wouldn't offer quite the same issues.

     

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,040 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #6

    Have you seen this webpage Simon? Has a link to a guide of how to go about setting up a CL. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/run-your-own-certificated-location/

    The CCC's small sites are based on admitting caravans and Motorhomes as well as tents, but might be worth checking for any differences. They do tend to have toilet provision as tent campers don't always carry their own sanitary arrangements, unlike those in vans and MHs.

  • Johnny57
    Johnny57 Club Member Posts: 369 ✭✭✭
    100 Comments
    edited September 2018 #7

    SimonBWFC
    If you are looking at the C&C CS as well aslo take a look at https://www.freedomcampingclub.org/campsite-startup.asp before deciding who to go with!

  • Slope Soarer
    Slope Soarer Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited September 2018 #8

    Thanks Johnny, in an ideal world I would prefer Caravan Club but to make it work may have to look elsewhere. Also I've never heard of Freedom Camping Club so thanks again!

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,040 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #9

    Freedom Camping have some very nice sites, different from both Clubs.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #10

    Simon, there are numerous organisations that can grant exemption for 5 vans (meaning planning permission is not needed unless you plan to install HS or erect buildings). I think you will find a list on the Natural England website. You would, though, need to find the Welsh equivalent.

  • CholseyGrange
    CholseyGrange Forum Participant Posts: 289
    100 Comments
    edited September 2018 #11

    Simon.  Delighted you are thinking of setting up a CL.  The Club needs more!   

    I help to manage the CL Owners Group.  We are 400+ CL Owners up and down the country.   I

    have run a CL for 7 years and would be very happy to provide some guidance, particularly from the viewpoint on whether you are likely to make a return on your investment.  This is not always a consideration for CL Owners, and I know a number that (by my calculations) must be running at a loss. 

    Feel free to contact me at ted.howardjones@gmail.com  

  • Slope Soarer
    Slope Soarer Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited September 2018 #12

    Thanks for the support everyone. 

    Ted, I'll be in touch and thanks.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2018 #13

    if it doesn't come about Simon what about caravan storage. £400-500 per year per caravan.

  • BirchHillFarmCL
    BirchHillFarmCL Forum Participant Posts: 187
    Photogenic
    edited September 2018 #14

    Hi Simon,
    we run a CL in Shropshire, just 2 miles from North Wales, and have occasionally been approached by people such as yourself who are considering starting their own CL.  As a result of this, I've put-together a few pages of thoughts which you may wish to consider. 

    Our email address is shown below - I will email them to you if you contact me.

    We have enjoyed running our CL for 16 years and in that time have been awarded First Place in the National 'CL of the Year' awards and have been voted 'Best Small Site' in the UK for the 3 years running.  Parallel with that we have had to cope with various events from the (natural) death of a caravanner, storms, lightning strike, power cuts and mains water outages. 

    We had no intention of running a CL: it came with the farm; we decided to see-out the rest of the season, met many lovely guests, and decided to keep running the CL.  I was in the Army when we first bought the farm and our guests acted as a bit of company for my wife whilst I was away on duty.  If I knew 16 years ago what I was letting myself in for, I would still go ahead and run a CL, but you need to be clear in your own mind what you want from the CL - it is definitely a labour of love and there are more profitable ways to use your land.

    Ian Kelly

    01691 622951
    Holiday@BirchHill.co.uk

    Birch Hill, The Cross, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 0LP
    www.BirchHill.co.uk
    CL Number 1321 in the 2017-18 CAMC Sites Directory

    Relax at Birch Hill Farm - an award-winning hideaway in the beautiful lake-lands of Shropshire - exclusively for members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club

     

     

     

     

     

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