Caravan storage probs on OWN land!

[crompers]

I have horses and recently bought five acres of land to keep them on. I have followed all planning requirements for change of land use from agricultural to equine and had planning permission passed for some stables to be built. The land is in a lovely area, very near a small village and has a footpath running across it. I always make a point of being very polite to local residents, walkers and the kids, who love to come over to see and pat the horses. The only problem is a few residents nearby seem to be intent on making life difficult for me by complaining to the council planning office about anything possible! The most recent incident has been my purchase of a small touring caravan that i bought as a back up to stay over in in an emergency, after one of my horses was seriously ill and i needed to attend to him through the night, this proved impossible staying in the back of a car and its a 20 min journey from home. Surely if the caravan is stored on my own land and out of sight from the locals view it shouldn't be a problem. Could do with some advice, Thanx.

[buildersmate]

It's a potential problem to the locals and the planning authority because they think you may be trying to acquire a change of use of the land by stealth - from equestrian use to a mixed use for equestrian and the storage of caravans. That may then lead to an attempt to occupy the caravan for residential use, which may in turn lead to a right to have a domestic dwelling on the site. Although that may not be your intention, it has been done by others before.
The fact you own the land or there is screening does not change the price of fish.
Talk to the planning authority and see what they say about your requirement. You are likely to receive a more sympathetic hearing if the land is not in one of the special categories (National Park or AONB). In these areas, the policies regarding the siting of caravans is more constrained.