Welcome. Before we go any further, I need to understand:
...by default starts the parking rounded up to the next half hour.
Are you suggesting that there is no option to start the parking period in the app from the time you make the transaction? It is highly unusual for one of these rogue, unregulated private parking companies to allow more than 5 or 10 minutes as their "consideration period" before they start the clock on your period of parking.
From what you've told us, your actual period on site as recorded by ANPR was from 13:52 to 18:33. That is a total period of 4:41. You paid for 4 hours only. Even allowing for a 10 minute "grace period", that is still 31 minutes over the period paid for.
So, we need to understand why you say that according to the app, you were not going to be charged for parking until 14:30. Are you sure that it only allowed you to pay for a period of parking from 14:30 because it defaulted to that or was it possible that you could have changed the default back to an earlier time? Is there a 30 minute free parking period at that car park?
As for you questions, I will try and answer them here:
1) are these companies one of them that I CAN just disregard and ignore or do I have to do something about it? The company is accredited with IPC as I checked. I believe even if it's safe to ignore, psychologically my anxiety will be quite heightened so I'd rather take action.
It is never advised to simply ignore a Parking Charge Notice (PCN), certainly not since 2012. Whilst it is not a "fine", it is a speculative invoice for an alleged breach of contract by the driver. Ignoring it, for now, will result in them chasing you with useless debt collector letters. Debt collector letters CAN be safely ignored. As the company is an IPC member, any appeals are highly unlikely to be accepted under any circumstances.
2) It said on the website that I can start parking up to 30 minutes before my booking, can I claim that it took me at least 8 minutes from 13:52 to 14:00 to find a parking spot, scan the qr code, read through terms and conditions, put all my details in and pay for parking online? So the 30 minutes should technically take me up to 14:30 rather than 14:22?
Nothing you plead is going to change their minds. They want your money and they are greedy. Please show us exactly what is quoted on their website about the starting time fr the parking.
3) Isn't it fair to have a 10 minute grace period applied to the end, as this is a requirement for all parking spaces ESPECIALLY with how poorly lit the signs and roads were as well as the rerouting of exit? Meaning I should be allowed till 18:40?
You can read the requirements for grace periods here, in the latest BPA/IPC Private Parking Single Code of Practice (PPSCoP):
The Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice v1Annex B has the detail I believe.
4 and most importantly) if I appeal it before midnight and it gets rejected, do I still get to pay £60 or will I have to pay the full £100?
In most cases they re-offer the "mugs discount". Why do we call it the "mugs discount"? That's because it is designed to influence low-hanging fruit on the gullible tree (mugs) to pay some money into their bank account rather than fight it. In the majority of cases, the PCNs are issued either incorrectly or unfairly.
For what it's worth, here is a suggested appeal that you can send and when they reject it, we can take it from there:
Subject: Appeal Against Parking Charge Notice [PCN Reference Number]
I am the registered keeper and I am appealing the above Parking Charge Notice on the following grounds:
1. Parking Start Time:
The driver entered the car park at 13:52 and spent at least 10 minutes finding a space, reading terms, and paying via the QR code. Your system allowed the driver to book parking from 14:30, which was paid for in full.
2. Grace Period for Exit:
The vehicle exit was recorded at 18:33, just 3 minutes after the paid period of parking ended at 18:30. The BPA/IPC Code of Practice allows a 10-minute grace period to leave the car park, therefore no breach of any terms occurred.
3. Unclear Conditions:
Very poor lighting at the location and extensive construction at the exit delayed the drivers departure, further justifying the minor overstay.
This charge is unfair and not enforceable. I request immediate cancellation. If rejected, please provide all evidence you intend to rely on, including signage and proof of grace periods.
No one pays Bank Park Management if they are on here receiving advice. The saving grace of your predicament is that should they escalate it to a claim in the county court, they use the worthless DCB Legal bulk litigator to issue their claims on their behalf. I can guarantee, with greater than 99% certainty, that any claim issued by DCB Legal that is defended, is eventually discontinued as long as the advice given here is followed.