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Private parking tickets / Re: UKPC Kingsley Village, Fraddon. Not parked within the markings of bay or space.
« on: April 12, 2026, 04:43:54 pm »
Hi and thanks for all the relevant information on this forum.
I've just received a "Your appeal was not successful" response from POPLA.
From reading the forum threads I assume I just wait for and ignore any "Debt Collection Letters".
Then I wait for the "Letter Before Claim" at which point I need to respond further.
Thanks in advance for any comments.
FYI the POPLA response is as follows:
Decision
Unsuccessful
Assessor Name: Richard Beaden
Assessor summary of operator case:
The operator has issued a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) as the driver was not parked correctly within the markings of a bay or space.
Assessor summary of your case:
The appellant advises that they are the keeper of the vehicle and dispute that the operator has complied with the Protection of Freedoms Act (2012). The appellant disputes that a consideration period has been allowed. The appellant questions the adequacy of the signs on site. They have asked to see evidence that the operator has a valid contract with the landowner. The appellant has provided photos of the signs at the site and a document detailing their appeal.
Assessor supporting rational for decision:
When assessing an appeal POPLA considers if the parking operator has issued the parking charge notice correctly and if the driver has complied with the terms and conditions for the use of the car park. The operator is holding the appellant liable as the keeper of the vehicle using Schedule 4 paragraph 9 of the Protection of Freedoms Act (2012). The operator has provided a copy of the notice which shows that it contains all of the required wording and was sent out within the required time scales. The notice has a single time and date on it and the parking event is the period of time directly before the specific time. There is no requirement within the Protection of Freedoms Act (2012) for the notice to specify the duration the driver was parked the only requirement is that the notice details the period of parking it relates to. One moment in time is a period of parking. I am satisfied that this notice meets this requirement. There is also no requirement in law for the exact wording to be quoted within the notice as long as the meaning of the wording is the same as it is with this notice. Section 5.1 of the Single Code of practice requires the operator to allow a consideration period. This can end sooner than the time specified in annex B.1. In this case the operator has provided photos of the appellants vehicle on site which is empty and photos of the closets signs this confirms that the driver was not trying to review the signs and as such I am satisfied that the operator has proven that the consideration period had ended. I note that all of the operator’s images of the parking event are date and time stamped. As the driver was parked in breach of the terms and conditions no grace period would apply. Section 3 of the Single Code of Practice sets out the requirements for signs. Both the operator and appellant have provided photos of the signs at the site. Both the operator and appellant have shown that there is a clear entrance sign in the required format. It is sized so that the driver would have been able to see this while driving as confirmed by the appellants image of this sign. The entrance sign provides a clear warning regarding the use of ANPR cameras as can also be seen in the appellants own image of this sign. The signs fully comply with the requirements of Annex A. The operator has also shown that there are prominent terms and conditions signs throughout the site including signs on lighting poles so I am satisfied that the clear blue and white signs would have been visible at all times of the day and night. There was a sign just a few meters from where the driver was parked as shown by the operator’s photos of the parking event. The signs make it clear that there is a three hour maximum stay with no charges required. They warn that all vehicles must park within a marked bay or a parking charge of £100 will be issued. I note that the appellants own photos prove that clarity of the terms and conditions signs and show their prominence and visibility. I note that the amount of the PCN is clearly highlighted with a black box so that it is prominent and is in a font comparable with the rest of the text on the signs. I note that the appellant has provided photos of signs which are not the operators and a such the operator is not responsible for them. The terms and conditions are made clear. If the appellant has concerns about the other signs on site, they should raise these concerns with the landowner. The operator has shown that there were no bay markings where the appellant parked so it was clear that this was not a permitted parking area. By parking outside of a marked by the driver was obstructing other motorist’s movements around the car park. Other vehicles being parked in similar manner is not an indication that this was a valid parking location. Section 14 of the Single Code of Practice requires the operator to have an agreement in place before it starts management of a site. In this case the operator has provided a copy of the contract it holds so I am satisfied that on the balance of probabilities there is a valid contract for the operator to manage parking in this location. After considering the evidence from both parties, the driver parked outside of a marked bay and therefore did not comply with the terms and conditions of the site. As such, I am satisfied the parking charge has been issued correctly and I must refuse the appeal.
I've just received a "Your appeal was not successful" response from POPLA.
From reading the forum threads I assume I just wait for and ignore any "Debt Collection Letters".
Then I wait for the "Letter Before Claim" at which point I need to respond further.
Thanks in advance for any comments.
FYI the POPLA response is as follows:
Decision
Unsuccessful
Assessor Name: Richard Beaden
Assessor summary of operator case:
The operator has issued a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) as the driver was not parked correctly within the markings of a bay or space.
Assessor summary of your case:
The appellant advises that they are the keeper of the vehicle and dispute that the operator has complied with the Protection of Freedoms Act (2012). The appellant disputes that a consideration period has been allowed. The appellant questions the adequacy of the signs on site. They have asked to see evidence that the operator has a valid contract with the landowner. The appellant has provided photos of the signs at the site and a document detailing their appeal.
Assessor supporting rational for decision:
When assessing an appeal POPLA considers if the parking operator has issued the parking charge notice correctly and if the driver has complied with the terms and conditions for the use of the car park. The operator is holding the appellant liable as the keeper of the vehicle using Schedule 4 paragraph 9 of the Protection of Freedoms Act (2012). The operator has provided a copy of the notice which shows that it contains all of the required wording and was sent out within the required time scales. The notice has a single time and date on it and the parking event is the period of time directly before the specific time. There is no requirement within the Protection of Freedoms Act (2012) for the notice to specify the duration the driver was parked the only requirement is that the notice details the period of parking it relates to. One moment in time is a period of parking. I am satisfied that this notice meets this requirement. There is also no requirement in law for the exact wording to be quoted within the notice as long as the meaning of the wording is the same as it is with this notice. Section 5.1 of the Single Code of practice requires the operator to allow a consideration period. This can end sooner than the time specified in annex B.1. In this case the operator has provided photos of the appellants vehicle on site which is empty and photos of the closets signs this confirms that the driver was not trying to review the signs and as such I am satisfied that the operator has proven that the consideration period had ended. I note that all of the operator’s images of the parking event are date and time stamped. As the driver was parked in breach of the terms and conditions no grace period would apply. Section 3 of the Single Code of Practice sets out the requirements for signs. Both the operator and appellant have provided photos of the signs at the site. Both the operator and appellant have shown that there is a clear entrance sign in the required format. It is sized so that the driver would have been able to see this while driving as confirmed by the appellants image of this sign. The entrance sign provides a clear warning regarding the use of ANPR cameras as can also be seen in the appellants own image of this sign. The signs fully comply with the requirements of Annex A. The operator has also shown that there are prominent terms and conditions signs throughout the site including signs on lighting poles so I am satisfied that the clear blue and white signs would have been visible at all times of the day and night. There was a sign just a few meters from where the driver was parked as shown by the operator’s photos of the parking event. The signs make it clear that there is a three hour maximum stay with no charges required. They warn that all vehicles must park within a marked bay or a parking charge of £100 will be issued. I note that the appellants own photos prove that clarity of the terms and conditions signs and show their prominence and visibility. I note that the amount of the PCN is clearly highlighted with a black box so that it is prominent and is in a font comparable with the rest of the text on the signs. I note that the appellant has provided photos of signs which are not the operators and a such the operator is not responsible for them. The terms and conditions are made clear. If the appellant has concerns about the other signs on site, they should raise these concerns with the landowner. The operator has shown that there were no bay markings where the appellant parked so it was clear that this was not a permitted parking area. By parking outside of a marked by the driver was obstructing other motorist’s movements around the car park. Other vehicles being parked in similar manner is not an indication that this was a valid parking location. Section 14 of the Single Code of Practice requires the operator to have an agreement in place before it starts management of a site. In this case the operator has provided a copy of the contract it holds so I am satisfied that on the balance of probabilities there is a valid contract for the operator to manage parking in this location. After considering the evidence from both parties, the driver parked outside of a marked bay and therefore did not comply with the terms and conditions of the site. As such, I am satisfied the parking charge has been issued correctly and I must refuse the appeal.