Do I need planning permission for a caravan?

A common misconception is that living in a caravan or log cabin does not require planning permission. Any building used as a dwelling requires planning permission. Even a structure which is not a building but is used for residential purposes requires permission (the planning system controls not only the erection of building, but also any change of use of land and buildings). i.e. if you live in a caravan you have changed the use of that land away from a rural use to a residential use.