Small caravan site dilemma

Landrover

Member
Thinking of putting a small 5 pitch caravan site in, water no problem but the only thing I can't seem to find any straight forward info about is what do people do regarding toilet waste ? Any help would be great
 

crofteress

Member
Livestock Farmer
You need a septic tank and build a structure that people can use to dispose of the toilet waste . As it's all chemical waste it can't go into a normal septic tank . Then you pay to get it emptied but with only 5 vans that won't be too often may be once a year depending how many one nighters you get as they usually leave the most . You also need a grey water disposal point which can run into a normal tank . I have taps at both emp tying points .
 

Jerry

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Devon
I have an underground tank with a lid on that people wash out into, thats then emptied once a year. It does not need to be complicated.

Are you putting in EHU points?

If so consider putting in metered ones to track individual usage. Some of these big vans suck a lot of energy and I have caught people with fan heaters in awnings and air con units running in the van.
 
Location
UK
There are ways around this without the septic tank and they are becoming more widely used thanks to much better technology.

We are launching a site in an AONB with a soakaway and compost toilets, the latter is not as bad as you think!

Are you definitely set on caravans?
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
I have an underground tank with a lid on that people wash out into, thats then emptied once a year. It does not need to be complicated.

Are you putting in EHU points?

If so consider putting in metered ones to track individual usage. Some of these big vans suck a lot of energy and I have caught people with fan heaters in awnings and air con units running in the van.

I guess metering is not really an option?

Even a 10amp breaker, will not deal with a fan heater running all night....! :(
 

Jerry

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Devon

Mur Huwcun

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North West Wales
Mum was averaging that caravans were using £2-£3 each a day according to smart meter but that was including the showers. She was just comparing daily usage when no vans were there to the days she had some. Was a very broad estimate and some motorhomes would use a lot more. We only have 4 points
 

Jerry

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Devon
Mum was averaging that caravans were using £2-£3 each a day according to smart meter but that was including the showers. She was just comparing daily usage when no vans were there to the days she had some. Was a very broad estimate and some motorhomes would use a lot more. We only have 4 points


andd Motor home owners swear blind they don’t use much power until you show them on the meter.
 

Mur Huwcun

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North West Wales
andd Motor home owners swear blind they don’t use much power until you show them on the meter.

Well 16amp is what, roughly 4kwh? Possibility is there to draw serious amount over a 24hr period. Up to now, even with shower block, 4 hookups, house and static caravan plus a sheep shed that’s empty when vans are there we’ve not yet exeeded the main fuse or the 63amp breaker on the sub main to the pitches! Most probably jinxed it now and will get a phone call...
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer

honeyend

Member
If you are looking to do a 5 pitch site then you don't need Planning Permission but only if you have it accredited to one of the main bodies (Caravan Club etc) as they have exemptions BUT you will need Planning Permission for any structures such as those for water and waste as well as for any hardstanding, new accesses etc.
Under the 28, now 56 day rule, you can use your permitted development, for most places.
Or have 'events' where all the structures are covered.

What about dry compost loos, which are basically a shed, which you separate the solids from the urine, and add shavings. Make it in to an eco feature.
 

Jerry

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Devon
So read the meter before they settle up on leaving?

Flat rate, or flat rate after a free starter number of units?

they get so much in pitch fee and over use charged at going rate. All told so in advance at point of booking.

Never had a no pay so far but only really testing it from late last year.
 

Jerry

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Devon
Well 16amp is what, roughly 4kwh? Possibility is there to draw serious amount over a 24hr period. Up to now, even with shower block, 4 hookups, house and static caravan plus a sheep shed that’s empty when vans are there we’ve not yet exeeded the main fuse or the 63amp breaker on the sub main to the pitches! Most probably jinxed it now and will get a phone call...

We deliberately put in 32 amp to future proof things really.

I have 6 double hook up points though only take 5 vans a time. Gives me better options to position things.
 

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