Can i, Cant i

[Solwaybuggier]

Sorry just seen your PM. No you cant but you can still use their CS sites and I think normal sites as a non member, presume the actual sites are more expensive if your not a member. I dont use the CC or C&CC campsites just the CL and CS's so there is no need for me to join both. The cc you have to be a member to use their CL's and the C&CC you dont.

Are you sure on that, Barry? My understanding is that for both CLs (Caravan Club) and CSs (C&CC) you're supposed to be a member of the respective club - and I think the same applies to other "exempted organisations" like the MCC. I think it's to do with planning law being far more relaxed for CLs/CSs than for campsites generally.

In reality it doesn't generally make any difference at all - we're members of both clubs but have only ever been asked for membership card at 1 CL, and at no CSs. And, as you said, C&CC website lets you view CSs, whereas the CC site requires a membership login.

The other difference seems to be that a CS can take up to 5 vans plus as many tents as can fit in - a CL is (in theory at least ) limited to 5 vans.

On the original question, we've found far more CLs than CSs in the north - but I think from a forum discussion last year there are areas in the south where there's a better spread of CSs.

Both clubs have some of their sites limited to members only, but most you can stay as a non-member - from memory the supplement is around £7 a night, so if you were to stay on a club's sites for 5 nights a year you're cheaper joining!

 

[barryd]

From what I can gather from experience and from the forums you can only access the CC CL's on the website if your a member (although many of them are on UKcampsites.co.uk and other places) and I think you have to be a member although like you I rarely get asked for my membership number. I think the rule with the C&CC CS sites is that if your not a member you can still stay but they are supposed to give you a membership form so you can join if you wish. The CS sites are available on the C&CC websites to search by the general public. So in theory (and this is my experience) you can search and stay on the CS sites without being a member but the CC Cl's you cant.

So if your just going to use CL and CS sites then you may as well just join the CC.

Clearly if your going to use club sites a lot you need to be a member to get the discounts but I have never been on one.

As I may have mentioned earlier the Great Days out discounts with the CC are worth the membership as you can save a fortune on visits to attractions. Not sure if the C&CC do anything similar.

 

[AndyC]

It's up to the Clubs whether their Exempted sites (CS or CL) are restricted to members only.

Both the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club have this restriction in place.

The Motor Caravanners Club allows non-members to use its Exempted sites, this is how it is able to issue exemption certificates to Practical Motorhome magazine's Nightstop locations which are of course open to all.

AndyC

 

[smifee]

I dumped the CC but have kept C&CC membership mainly for the system they run where you can go on a site just for a couple of hours to dump/fill/shower etc. Have now found out that this is available to non members so am thinking of not renewing but I use their Temporary Holiday Sites sometimes so ................

I used to be indecisive but now well I'm not so sure.

 

[Deleted member 967]

Are you sure on that, Barry? My understanding is that for both CLs (Caravan Club) and CSs (C&CC) you're supposed to be a member of the respective club - and I think the same applies to other "exempted organisations" like the MCC. I think it's to do with planning law being far more relaxed for CLs/CSs than for campsites generally.

In reality it doesn't generally make any difference at all - we're members of both clubs but have only ever been asked for membership card at 1 CL, and at no CSs. And, as you said, C&CC website lets you view CSs, whereas the CC site requires a membership login.

The other difference seems to be that a CS can take up to 5 vans plus as many tents as can fit in - a CL is (in theory at least ) limited to 5 vans.

On the original question, we've found far more CLs than CSs in the north - but I think from a forum discussion last year there are areas in the south where there's a better spread of CSs.

Both clubs have some of their sites limited to members only, but most you can stay as a non-member - from memory the supplement is around £7 a night, so if you were to stay on a club's sites for 5 nights a year you're cheaper joining!

The Caravan Club issue a diary to their CL operators which is inspected as part of the annual inspection. This records Name and Membership number of each user and the dates they stayed on site.
This is the clubs way of ensuring that operators stick with the RULES OF THE CLUB regarding members only and that the site is not allowing members to exceed the limits laid down under Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act (1960).

It could be argued that if a site allows non members use and is up to it's 5 van capacity and a member wishes to use the site then the non member must leave as the exemption is PRIMARILY for members of the issuing club. If the member is turned away the site would be breaching the terms of the exemption.

In both club's mags there is a section for new exempted sites. Sites that are no longer exempted, are also listed with a reason and there are a number where the exemption has been removed because of "Breach of conditions".

The law (1960 Act, paragraph 5 sites) states that no caravan can stay on a site for more than 28 days and that the sites are PRIMARILY for members of the club that issues the exemption. The same wording applies to parapraph 4 sites (Holiday sites). Paragraph 6 sites (rallies up to 5 days are MEMBERS ONLY under the act.

Each club has interpreted the wording "PRIMARILY FOR MEMBERS" differently.
Natural England will tell exempted clubs that exempted sites are for Members only. But agree that this has been interpreted over the years by different officers as allowing or not allowing non members. I have had protracted discussions with officers at Natural England over my own clubs status. The concensus of which is that they are prepared to turn a blind eye to non members using paragraph 5 sites at present. However they are not happy with the situation and it could change again.

I have used exempted sites by both the CC and C&CC this year and they have asked to see our membership card and have recorded the membership number.

Club main and affiliated sites are different and are not part of the exemption status but have planning permission. How each site is operated is between the club and the local authority.

Tents are covered by a separate exemption under the Public Health Act 1937
The clubs must issue a camping exemption to the land owner. The Caravan Club choose not to do this. The Camping and Caravanning Club and some other clubs do issue two exemption certificates to their sites.

 

[novawight]

belong to both,but not really nessesary, as there are plenty of sites, that doesnt belong ti either, it for me it is belts and braces syndrome,as her indoors hat,s camping, yes hate,s it, so I take off on me own,where ever the wind takes me, used to do a lot of sailing, on the whole I prefer camping and caravaning, better perks for seniors