The following rules are extracted from the Club Publication: 'Guide to Setting up a CL' (see above)..

"Our rules stem from the 1960 Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act and these impose certain legal obligations on the Club which, together with other rules we apply, govern the way CLs operate."

There are eight basic rules of operation:

Rule 1: Visitors to your CL must be members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club (1960 Act)

This is a condition of your Certificate, breach of which could also put your cover at risk should a claim arise under your public liability insurance. All members carry a membership card so please ask to see this as evidence of current membership. Check the expiry date and note the member’s name, address, telephone number and membership number in your booking-in diary, just in case any queries arise. Quite a lot of members complain to us that owners do not ask to see their cards. They like to know that CLs are for their exclusive use.

Whilst visitors to your CL must be current Club members, non-members do occasionally ask to stay. They must join the Club before staying on site by calling the Club on 01342 318 813. If a new member wishes to stay before receiving their membership pack it would be acceptable to take the membership number alone which can be checked with head office or using a texting service.

OWNERS GROUP ADVICE: Implementing an on-line booking system will assist you to capture Membership Numbers at the point of booking, which you can then keep for your records and check with the Club via the Text Service at a later point.

Rule 2: Caravans may stay for no more than 28 days at a time (Club Rule)

This reinforces the touring philosophy and status of our Club’s CLs and also prevents one member monopolising a pitch and denying it to others.

Rule 3: CLs are for recreational use only (1960 Act)

Visitors should be on holiday and caravans should not normally be left unoccupied overnight or used for permanent residential purposes.

Rule 4: You may only take five caravans at a time (1960 Act)

The most important condition, formal planning permission and a site licence are required for more than five pitches and your site would no longer qualify for CL status. By far the majority of complaints The Club receives involve excess numbers and this is clearly a major concern for The Club.

All complaints about excess numbers will be investigated. Normally an informal word will resolve most problems. However, if persistent and substantiated complaints of excess numbers are received after a formal written warning from The Club, your Certificate is unlikely to be renewed on its expiry and may, in serious cases, be withdrawn at short notice.

OWNERS GROUP ADVICE: Implementing an on-line booking system will help prevent over-booking, if set up correctly.

Rule 5: Caravans should not be left unoccupied overnight (predominantly a Club Rule)

It is not uncommon to find caravans left unoccupied for varying periods of time. Clearly there will be exceptional circumstances when brief periods (a night or two) can be accepted. However, regular or lengthy periods effectively constitute ‘storage’, which almost invariably requires separate planning permission.

Rule 6: CL owners must have public liability insurance cover for not less than £2 million against any proven claims made by members suffering damage to property or personal injury (Club Rule)

Considerable legislation (e.g. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) has increased public awareness of the right to seek compensation from site operators if visitors are involved in accidents or become ill through pollution. It is therefore necessary for CL owners to insure themselves against possible claims and we require owners to sign a declaration to this effect, which is a continuing obligation so long as the CL operates. Proof of PLI insurance is required annually on the date of renewal.

OWNERS GROUP ADVICE: Review the Health & Safety document here for more information.

Rule 7: CL owners using a private (non-mains) Water supply must have it tested annually by a competent authority (Club Rule)

Such owners are required to sign a declaration to this effect and provide copies annually of the relevant paperwork

OWNERS GROUP ADVICE: Review the Health & Safety document here for more information.

Rule 8: CL owners providing electric hook-ups must have the facility inspected and a satisfactory certificate issued by a contractor approved by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) or by a member of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) or SELECT (Scotland) (Club Rule)

Owners providing this service are required to sign a declaration to this effect and provide copies of test certificates.

OWNERS GROUP ADVICE: Review the Health & Safety document here for more information, and ensure you have considered the Terms and Conditions (see above)