Responsibilities of holding a camping or caravanning exemption certificate

As an exemption certificate holder, you must make sure that:

• your activities are responsible and considerate
• your members behave responsibly and considerately
• all activities comply with the conditions of the exemption certificate

If you do not have an exemption certificate, you can apply for an exemption certificate to camp without a licence.

Use and limitations of an exemption certificate

Exemption certificates can only be used by the organisation or club named on them. The limitations of exemption certificates are:

• they cannot be transferred to another organisation or club
• they do not remove the need to get planning permission where required by law

Consulting authorities before using a site

You should consult with the following authorities before arranging your event.

Local planning authority

You should consult the local planning authority before using a site for a:

• supervised and occupied sites exemption – paragraph 4 event

• approved sites exemption – paragraph 6 event

• club meetings or rallies exemption – paragraph 5 certified site

This helps identify planning restrictions or objections. If objections are raised, the site should not be used.

An exemption certificate does not cover any additional infrastructure or facilities needed to operate a camping or caravan site. If extra infrastructure is required, either you or the site owner must check with the relevant local planning authority to find out whether further permissions or approvals are needed.

Local highways department

Where required, you should consult the local highways department, particularly if your event may affect:

• access
• traffic flow
• road safety

Camping on protected sites in England

Permission may be required before you use an exemption certificate on land within a protected site.

You must contact Natural England if the land is within a: 

• site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
• special area of conservation (SAC)
• special protection area (SPA)
• Ramsar site
• national nature reserve (NNR)

Find out how to give notice and get consent for a planned activity on a SSSI.

If the land is outside these areas but is close to a protected site, or your activity could affect one, you must consult Natural England at consultations@naturalengland.org.uk. You should also contact your local planning authority.

Camping and caravanning events in National Parks in England

National Parks have additional requirements for exempted organisations holding camping or caravanning events.

Caravanning and camping organisations have agreed special arrangements with National Parks to help protect the landscape and character of these areas. You should notify the relevant National Park of your intention to hold an event by 30 May in the year before the event is planned.

You may ask a National Park to accept a shorter notice period. However, if the National Park requires the full notice period, this requirement must be followed.

Camping and caravanning in National Landscapes in England (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty)

You are encouraged to contact the relevant National Landscape Partnership or Conservation Board before using a site. They can advise on how your event or site layout may affect the protected landscape and how any impact can be reduced.

Responsibilities during events

A named officer of the organisation or club must attend each event. They must:

• hold the exemption certificate
• make a copy available for display and inspection

Respect local residents

You are expected to minimise the impact of your activities on the local environment, local residents and the community.

You should avoid:

• frequent use of the same site
• large‑scale events that may cause disturbance

You must act respectfully where events may affect local residents. Common concerns raised include:

• noise
• road congestion
• units overlooking nearby properties

Talking with local residents can help prevent issues and maintain good relationships.

Managing community concerns and complaints

You must manage community concerns and complaints.

You are responsible for:

• investigating complaints about your certified sites
• considering any issues raised in relation to proposed sites

Complaints procedure

You must have a clear and robust complaints procedure. This should include:

• investigating all valid complaints
• responding to concerns about site assessments, organisational activities or member behaviour
• keeping a record of complaints and how they were resolved

You should make every effort to reach agreement with those affected. The local council can remove your exemption if people complain.

Raising a concern about an exempted site

Any concerns about an exempted site should be raised directly with the organisation or club that holds the exemption certificate.

Data protection

You must comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. This includes ensuring appropriate measures for handling and storing personal information during:

• applications
• site management
• complaint handling

Keeping Natural England informed

You must notify Natural England in writing if there are changes to:

• the details recorded on your exemption certificate
• your code of conduct
• your constitution

You should also keep records of consultation responses with relevant parties in case of future enquiries.

Contact details

Email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk

If responsibilities are not met

Your organisation or club is responsible for dealing with all site issues and complaints.

If there are repeated valid complaints, or if you or your members do not comply with your code of conduct, Natural England may withdraw the exemption certificate.