General
1. One named member of the organisation (the “rally marshal” or “responsible person”) is to be
responsible for the conduct of any exempted touring caravan or camping event and for ensuring
that those attending comply with this code.
2. The responsible person must ensure that all members are aware of The Countryside Code, The
Caravan Code and Marine Conservation Society (see Annexes 1a-c).
The Venue
3. The organisation will take reasonable steps to satisfy themselves that the site to be used is not
subject to a relevant order under paragraph 13 of the First Schedule to the 1960 Act (for caravans),
or an Article 4 direction under Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted
Development) Order 1995 (for caravans and camping), and that it is not one where planning
permission has been refused or where enforcement action has been taken.
4. The organisation will consult the local authority before meeting on land adjacent to sites for which
planning permission has been granted (i.e. next to permanent or commercial sites).
5. The organisation will agree to move from and avoid any site to which the local authority maintains
a valid objection.
6. The organisation will not meet on sites adjacent to certificated locations/sites unless the proposed
site is clearly differentiated and the risk of interference with local people and other users is
minimal.
7. The organisation will take reasonable steps to ensure that the siting of units (a caravan, motor
home, tent or trailer tent) does not unduly interfere with the activities of local people, their privacy
or their enjoyment of their property. They will also ensure that the siting of units does not interfere
with the enjoyment by others of the landscape, natural beauty or nature conservation value of the
area, particularly in areas designated for their landscape or wildlife qualities.
8. The organisation will undertake not to over-use any venue and will consider carefully before
holding successive meetings on the same land.
Nuisance
9. Local people should be able to carry on their normal activities when meetings are in progress. The
organisation will take reasonable steps to minimise disturbance and will investigate and deal with
the causes of any complaints made.
10. Care should be taken not to damage the site or the surrounding locality. Trees, fences, buildings,
equipment and stock should all be respected.
11. Domestic animals belonging to members of the organisation will be kept on a lead and under close
control. They will not be allowed to run loose on the site or cause disturbance to local people or
animals. They will be exercised away from units and those parts of the site used for communal
activities. Any mess will be cleared up.
12. The responsible person will identify open space suitable for the playing of games which might
otherwise intrude upon or constitute a danger or annoyance to others on or around the site.
13. Noise should be kept to a minimum for the comfort of others on the site as well as people who live
or work nearby.
Road Safety and Access
14. The responsible person will take steps to ensure that travel from major roads to a proposed site is
not likely to cause undue disruption or difficulties for other road users. Access to the site must be
suitable for the number and likely size of units attending the meeting. The arrival and departure of
units should be arranged to minimise disruption to other road users.
15. The speed of vehicles on the site should be restricted to 5 mph.
Spacing and Density
16. For health and safety purposes emergency vehicles must be able to gain access to any unit on the
site. At least 6 metres is required between units in all circumstances. For this purpose a unit means
a caravan, motor home, tent or trailer tent. In addition, there must be a minimum of 3 metres
between any awnings, gazebo’s or pup tent and the car or towing vehicle. Emergency vehicles
should be able to secure access at all times to within 90 metres of any unit on the site.
17. Where a site is being used by both caravans and tents they must be sited entirely separate from
each other for health & safety reasons. However, this does not necessarily mean segregated. If the
layout of the field does not allow for separate lines of tents, it is permissible to continue a line of
caravans/motor homes with a line of tents, but they must be sited en-bloc and not interspersed.
Trailer tents are classified as tents and must be sited accordingly. Children’s “pup-tents” may be
erected alongside the parents’ unit and should be considered as part of the unit for spacing
purposes. It is recommended that there is at least 6 metres between any rows of caravans and tents.
See Annex 1d for further advice on spacing issues.
Fire Precautions
18. Open fires and barbecues will not be held except with the permission of the responsible person.
Where permission is given for open fires or barbecues, they will be sited on open ground, away
from units, vehicles, awnings and any other structures.
19. A fire extinguisher approved to British Standards Institute and/or Fire Officers Certificate
standards will be held on site.
Chemical Toilets and Waste Water Disposal
20. Organisations will act responsibly when disposing of the contents of chemical toilets and waste
water and take full account of the need to safeguard water supplies and prevent the pollution of
rivers and streams.
21. On-site disposal of the contents of chemical toilets and waste water will be in accordance with
arrangements agreed with the site owner/occupier. Neither will be allowed to foul the ground
except at designated disposal points. If there is any doubt about the disposal of waste, the
organisation or, if appropriate, the responsible person will contact the relevant Local Authority for
advice.
Refuse disposal
22. Organisations should ensure that refuse is either taken home or disposed of in accordance with on-
site arrangements. The rally marshal should be satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in
place.
Additional general paragraph recommended to be included by organisations holding a camping
exemption certificate
23. The organisation will use every endeavour not to camp on any site for more than 42 consecutive
days or 60 days in any 12 consecutive months. The organisation will also endeavour not to camp on
any site being used for camping by other exempted organisations if, by doing so, the use of this site
would be taken over these limits. This will help avoid overuse of sites, particularly in popular areas.
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