Self-build and permanent traveller pitches - Public forum - Planning Advisory Service (PAS)

You might be stretching the point, but I think you're right that there is nothing in the regs to exclude caravans per se

But if the only element of self build was e.g. laying a slab and parking a caravan on it, and the caravan itself is a standard mass market van, is that really self build?

It's a puzzle isn't it.  As self build can include modular and temporary builds (eg, shipping container conversions), I'd suggest logic dictates yes.  But have not yet come across confirmation.

I think not. The NPPG is clear that:

Off-plan housing, homes purchased at the plan stage prior to construction and without input into the design and layout from the buyer, are not considered to meet the definition of self-build and custom housing.

So I can’t see how a Caravan could possibly count.  There is a natural language definition of self build where the occupant is substantially involved in construction of the dwelling – but again just decking & landscaping etc wouldn’t count.

The reference to containers is presumably from Grand Designs – Using container ‘panels’ as part of a construction is not the same as living in a container and calling it a self build.

The reference to temporary buildings seems very tenuous – I assume you’re thinking of a rural workers self build dwelling with a reinstatement clause (again from the old GD episode for woodland worker).  This would be a very rare case, and self build would need to be substantiated via the s106 that secures the reinstatement.

And for a little light relief, would this count as 'self build' or 'out of the box'?

https://youtube.com/shorts/X0xMTsArEIc?si=0YpPzIWN_LQBmiQW