Caravan on a driveway

We had a covenant on our local development many years ago and, apart from the builder or a moaning neighbour, nobody is likely to want to enforce it.  The builder who built our development has long gone and there are now many caravans/motorhomes on driveways around and about.

It largely depends on how you value your relationship with the neighbour.  I'd agree with your views and, personally, I'd ignore him and let him do whatever he wants.  He's trying to bully you into moving your van.  Stick with it.  He really can't do much.

the fact he's an ex-copper says it all. 

Do as you're doing and wait for the solicitor's letter, if indeed it ever gets that far. Ignore him, as J-with a-J says, he's trying to bully you.

Covenant's only last 10years from date of first purchase

What do the other neighbours think? I'd either ignore him all together or try to explain rationally to him why you're choosing to store the van there (might be a bit difficult as he sounds a bit irrational!)

I don't think he's got a leg to stand on - like, Jill, there was a covenant on our house when it was originally built, but that is really to protect the developer's interests - once they've finished the estate they're very unlikely to be interested.

So stand your ground, you could consult Citizen's Advice - they may be able to put your mind at rest.  

 The covenant on our housing estate states that all front gardens are to remain open plan .... I can count the open plans front gardens on one hand and have fingers left over. And next door keeps their caravan on their drive, though the house was built at a much later date.

perhaps cos he used to have some power .... 

we have the same ruling, but only restricts caravans, so our MH sits on the drive unopposed, but I did let the neighbours know our plans First, luckily they like the van and wished us the best, wait it out, sitting on your property after all.

Only if it says that in your particular Deeds.  The covenants on our properties last 'in perpetuity' which is defined, in the Deeds, as 50 years from the date of the first transfer.

I doubt whether anyone here can answer the question you raise with any certainty. Given that you have recently become the owner of the property I assume some legal transfer was undertaken by a Solicitor? If that was the case said Solicitor should have made you aware of any restrictions on the building and land. If they have not done that, hopefully not an oversight, perhaps there are no restrictions? If that is the case you are free to keep the caravan there. It then depends how far you are willing to go to appease said neighbour. If its on a corner could you perhaps move it more round the side of the house out of view? Perhaps you need to be mindful that it is not you living there so your in laws are going to be the ones taking the flack most of the time.

David