Virtual end to "aires" experient at Hayling Island, Hampshire

[John H]

In this country a local authority can take action against a person or persons who reside in a Motor Vehicle.

John

But, as stated in the statute you quote, this only applies to the highway, to unoccupied land, or to occupied land without the owners consent. If the supermarkets were to agree, this statute would not apply. I appreciate the interest and comment this thread has generated but I feel we may be trying to make it more complicated than necessary.

The thing that depresses me is that, if indeed this site has an exemption, Admin has not taken part in this debate. If we could approach supermarkets on behalf of several thousand members we could stand a realistic chance of getting things moving. As an individual, all I can claim to do is represent the ten people who agreed with my original post. A bit sad really.

 

[Deleted member 967]

In fact I understand that there are no requirements for any minimal facilities on exempted sites. I found this out during a conversation with Natural England.

AndyC

Thanks for that Andy.

I found out that a drinking water tap was not a requirement from Natural England, but they stated that a drinking water supply must be provided. This was why I said the water could be available instore.

I was looking at certificating a site (Naturist club) that used rain water catchment as a means of water for toilets and showers. Users brought their own drinking water in containers. The officer at Natural England said that if there was a supply of bottled drinking water made available for visitors (no stipulation that it was free) they could see no problems with certificating the site. The site (club) however would not comply with the requirement of allowing any member of the certificating organisation to visit, so they didn't get the exemption. I think they were trying to get around PP for caravans for their own member use.

Interesting that Natural England were not insisting on black waste disposal facilities. In conversation they have always stipulated this to me.

Paragraph 5: Sites Approved by Exempted Organisations
Organisations exempted under paragraph 5 may issue certificates (valid for up to one year) for particular sites, stating that the land has been approved by the organisation for the use of its members for the purposes of recreation. These sites are known as “certificated locations” or “certificated sites”. Additionally:
• No more than 5 caravans can be stationed on a paragraph 5 site at any one time.
• Before issuing a certificate an exempted organisation is expected to have a system for consulting neighbours and the relevant local licensing authority
• Organisations which issue certificates are also expected to have systems in place to inspect their sites to check that the terms of the certificate are being observed; and for dealing with any inquiries or complaints from the public about their sites.
• Certificates are to be issued to the occupiers of the land
• Each organisation must send details of certificates it has issued to the relevant exemption certificate issuing body.

Paragraph 5 – exempted organisations issue certificates stating that a site has been approved for the use of its members. However, non-members may also use the site, unless there is an agreement between the site owner and the organisation that restricts its use to members only;

As Andy states there is nothing in the 1960 Act or Guidance notes that says facilities have to be provided. This is quite interesting, as the Big clubs do influence what Natural England say to other exempted organisations and most of this is their club own rules or requirements. When I first appled for a para 5 exemption, for a club I was the exemption holder for, I had to fight hard, as the officer stated they would only give them to large organisation at first. I fought on and they could not argue, when I could demonstrate that we could also put all the necessary checks and procedures into place.


John