If your neighbour is acting in a threatening manner & you actually know who it is then feel free to report it to the cops. If it is just a normal housing estate with driveways off a public road then you are entitled to park your caravan on your drive permanently if you like.
We bought our old van home to do some work on it. We couldn't get it on the drive, but as we live at the end of a cul de sac we parked it outside the house where it was in no-one's way. After a week an environmental health officer turned up after a complaint, the complainant wanted to remain anonymous of course. He was fine about it, advised us to rope in a neighbour in get it on to the drive. He told me that the complaint had also been sent to the police and the parish council. We had our suspicions about who had done this, what shocked us was that no-one had tried to ask us about it. Some people are just obnoxious. We have kept our newer van on the drive all winter just to wind up the two suspects.
We keep our caravan on our double drive but behind the building line. Our neighbours years ago kept their caravan in their front garden. I hated it as I couldn't see up the road. I never said a dicky bird about it as they were the most fantastic neighbours anyone could possibly have.Sometimes you just have to live and let live.
If you leave a caravan unhitched on a public road for any length of time then one way or another you will probably be forced to move it but provided it is parked completely on your own property then there is nothing anybody can do to prevent that.
If any covenant is in house deeds forbidding caravan parking on properties it is unlikely to be enforcable. These covenants are usually placed by builders of housing estate to prevent place looking untidy while selling the properties & once builders have left then probably they will not be interested in enforcement & after many yrs original builders may be no longer exist anyway.
That is appalling! Even worst because it has so upset your son.
I don't know if this would work for you but shortly after we moved here there was an incident involving drink on neighbour's land that resulted in cans and litter all over our driveway, plants and planters smashed etc. Worse, son and I were out and elderly parents terrified in our home. Tackled it by writing to local paper in letter format saying how very surprised and distressed at such behaviour in view of how welcoming, friendly and supportive people had been. Police did know about it, but, despite their suspicions, were pretty helpless and agreed the approach. Letter duly appeared in monthly mag and within two days, culprits found. Two apologised and spent a day doing some hard work clearing up the mess and digging; a third was shopped and arrested as he had been main cause of problem. Fine and loss of Council flat end result for him some months later. Wrote follow-up to say that two of the culprits had owned up and made reparation and apologised and that was the end of the matter - no names mentioned. Local response very positive.
Sorry, long post, but might be a way of getting to the culprit/community that that behaviour was unacceptable.
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I have a feeling I know who it was, but no proof. I don't think shaming would work on these people as they are above everyone else...if you know what I mean. Another neighbour spoke to husband last night to say how disgusted they were with letter...but that just means everyone on our estate (50 + houses) received a copy. This includes my sons school friends, so I will have to speak to his teacher after hols just in case he gets some backlash. I am a Beaver scout leader and some of my Beavers live here too! I just feel mortified. I couldn't believe that this incident could have had such an effect on us. Really knocked my confidence.
I am going to speak to police today, I'm sure it will do no good, but it might make me feel better and it will be logged! As someone said previously, they may be using same bullying tactics on someone else.
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April - Yorkshire and Yorkshire
June - Wiltshire and Oxfordshire
Autumn - North and Scotland
If you have room on your property to park your caravan then I would do that. It does seem odd to waste money on storage when you have your own driveway. Some little twat writing an anonymous letter is hardly threatening. You need to be assertive with the police, if you are being harrassed then they will investigate & take action if there is any evidence. But do be assured that there is no law preventing you parking your caravan on your own property.
Our caravan is on our drive, but living close to a supermarket, train station and hospital, we get a lot of cars parked up and down street up on kerb and often all day. So if we are going away (4 times a year max) hubby will put 3 parking cones out that morning, as otherwise we just wouldn't be able to get van out at all.
One day we got a very abusive anonymous note through door saying if we don't like the parking 'do one' etc etc! We thought it was just a disgruntled driver wanting to park, until we caught a neighbour removing our cones one morning! We couldn't believe it and the way he spoke to us was utterly shocking, even crowding me in front of my kids, he was very lucky my husband just managed to contain himself. Police were very definitely threatened, but to be honest we feel he must have issues to get so angry and threatening over something that really didn't concern or affect him at all, he lives further around the street, not even in view. When we explained our caravan situation you could see it dawn on him that we weren't just putting cones out everyday and he had leapt to stupid conclusions but the damage was done!
Don't let that person bother you Gail, we barely notice this guy now and carry on as normal, we have kept the note which he admitted to posting and have warned him if he ever does a thing again in any way police will be called in as it is harassment regardless of his opinions. 2 years now since he's bothered us (touch wood)! Most people I know who store their caravans bring them home for 24-48hrs to clean and pack, so I really don't think you are doing anything wrong here.
This is why in general I keep myself to myself and don't really trust anyone. I have my friends of course but in the whole I don't really interact with people I don't know.mi just assume the worst that they are idiots.
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it would not hurt to contact the local police although they will do nothing the incident will be recorded, what do you mean 'They are above every one else?'
interesting note re the enviromental officer getting involved, otherposting I wonder what exactly the offence would be? cannot think of any other than depositing litter, perhaps a local bylaw jighway obstruction, pushing things, HGV trailers litter the roads in my localality and no-one but no-one does anything about them,
I do belive however Ashford council at last are having a go be interesting to see what enactment they are using, kind regards
ICING ON CAKE...looks like our (10 mth+) retriever pup is finally (perfect timing) coming into season. Trip cancelled... days out instead. After the last week, we were really looking forward to going away. Hey ho won't bother doing lottery this week!!!
------------- 2026
Various weekends, weather and time permitting
April - Yorkshire and Yorkshire
June - Wiltshire and Oxfordshire
Autumn - North and Scotland
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Topic: A cautionary tale!
