Free Traffic Legal Advice

Good evening.
I have received a letter from Debt recovery plus asking for me to pay 170£ for dropping off or picking up outside designated area. This was the first letter I received from anyone, no first warnings or anything from APCOA.
Do I need to pay this? No warnings a d suddenly a 170£ fine.
Funny thing I actually entered the premium pick up area, and called my relatives who I was picking up to find out they were already outside, so I paid for that when I left and stopped for 20 seconds on the side road for them to enter the car.

Thank you for your reply. Can I just ignore it or do I need to send any letters or emails to them?

You have not got the original PCN, not probably a reminder - this is often because the V5C has not been updated, and the reg address is not correct.  Suggest you get it out and check - assuming you are the reg keeper (i.e. it's not on lease?).  If wrong, then a) you need to get it updated and b) you need to send a data rectification notice to APCOA (in case they do decide on court).

You can send a complaint to them (as reg keeper only!) saying that you didn't receive the original PCN - and that they need to consider as an appeal.  The basis is that the airport is not relevant land, they don't know who was driving and you are not obliged, and will not, tell them who was, and therefore they can't enforce against the reg keeper, and must cancel the PCN.  APCOA usually roll over when confronted with this.