Neighbours at war as joiner told to shift caravan parked on street and pavement

12 February 2023 , 20:12

672     0

Ben has been ordered to move his caravan (Image: BPM Media)

Neighbours are at war on a residential street over a caravan parked partly on the carriageway and partly on the pavement - which some say obstructs people's access.

Ben Beecroft has kept a caravan outside his Sneyd Green home, in Stoke-on-Trent, for the past four winters.

But a new model which has appeared parked in the spot has incurred the wrath of certain neighbours.

Ben told Stoke-on-Trent Live that neighbours had reported him to Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

"I’ve had a caravan parked there for four years but as soon as I had a new one, it’s an issue," he explained. "They don’t like it because I have nice stuff, that’s how it is.

'My selfish neighbour stole our parking spot - my revenge means he'll regret it'

“The council says it’s an obstruction to the street. But if I’ve got to remove my caravan then they should remove their cars. They’re wide, if not wider.

Ben's local council has ordered him to move his caravan (BPM Media)

“Everyone is parked on the street on both sides, all the way down the street. I would understand it if it was a proper main road and you couldn’t get past.

"But there’s enough room for everyone to get past. The bin men can pass it with no issues, whatsoever. On the footpath, my old man’s got a mobility scooter - and he can get past."

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has given Ben four weeks to shift his caravan which has been parked partly on the carriageway and partly on the pavement on East Crescent.

It remains a grey area over whether caravans can be parked on residential streets (BPM Media)

Ben added: “When I first moved in, I was single. I put music on and never got any complaints. If you don’t work, you get on fine. But as soon as you work, no-one likes you. As soon as I got my caravan it must have made them jealous.

“It’s beyond a joke. It’s hard-working people surrounded by people who don't want to work. I won’t be moving it.”

The council sent one of its rights of way officers to the scene. It remains a grey area over whether caravans can be parked on residential streets.

A council spokesman said: "The officer was able to establish the owner of the vehicle and explained that parking was not permitted as it constituted an unauthorised structure on the highway.

"We are currently in the process of ensuring that the structure is legally parked and the regulations are adhered to before we take any further action and will be in touch with the resident shortly."

Rachel Alexander