Morrisons in Blyth

martmonk

Morrisons in Blyth have just built a shiny new store on the site of their old one (but bigger) and with a shiny new massive car park.

There are 2 entrances to the car park. One of which has just had cameras installed by the lovely folk at PE. I am heading over there at lunchtime and will find out when they went in (I only saw them this morning), and whether they intend to put cameras on the second entrance - I would assume so as only having one entrance 'covered' would be beyond stupid.

The signage is the usual joke - 12 foot in the air on the same pole as the cameras and a couple of signs round the perimeter of the car park which can barely be seen never mind read from any parking position in the centre of the car park, interestingly at this point though is that only half of it has signage (not the half where the second entrance is). When I say halves I am only setting the secene, it is one big car park with no restrictions on entering through one and exiting another.

I have searched planning applications http://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.uk/online-applications/propertyDetails.do?activeTab=relatedCases&keyVal=KX68PQQS04O00 and can't see one for the cameras - would someone with a bit more experience in this area here be able to check this please?

It's the intention to complain to the council, or ask if there is planning in place if it can't be seen on the above.

The car park is free and the signs indicate that there is now a max 2 hour stay, no return in 2 hours.

Is there anything here I should be asking on the recently mentioned rateable value issue or does this not apply as they are not charging for parking, only for alledged contraventions?

bod1467

MIN 2 hour stay? Should that be MAX?

Umkomaas

bod1467 wrote: »

MIN 2 hour stay? Should that be MAX?

Perhaps an alternative PE wheeze to scam more motorists 'Understaying Charges' :rotfl:

martmonk

Asked at lunchtime and was told by CS desk that the other entrance will be covered. "There's no escaping" she helpfully added. My response that none of the signage is compliant with their own code of practice just drew a blank look so I just carried on and bought the bacon I went in for.

In hindsight I think she was just trying to be jovial.

Any case, along with the planning consent angle and possible rateable value is there anything else I can do to put a stick through the spokes in their wheels?

Coupon-mad

I think Planning Consent and Rateable value are the two points of attack. I applaud your proactive approach!

martmonk

Didn't really get anywhere with rateable value (both here and at the Home Bargains Jarrow site where I helped a friend).

Anyway update on this is that the second entrance has camera (mid Nov), signage is up but entrance signs impossible to read and loads of entrapment zones.

But - I did some digging on the planning issues and the original for the store includes a condition that free parking is available to visitors to the town centre, not just the store.

There is an application pending consideration to discharge this condition (I've objected). I've also emailed the planning officer directly asking why they've errected the signage when the permission hasn't been granted but no response yet.

I don't know that anyone has yet been issued any ticket (and I've been double dipping a couple of times per week).

If we assume no tickets have been issued is there anything more I can do to cause them a problem other than keep on to the planning officer? I thought about an email to the BPA but it's unlikely to get much attention?

bod1467

Sticker campaign? (i.e. place stickers over their signs). If their signs are in breach of (existing) planning consent then you placing stickers on them can't be vandalism or similar, surely?

Umkomaas

bod1467 wrote: »

Sticker campaign? (i.e. place stickers over their signs). If their signs are in breach of (existing) planning consent then you placing stickers on them can't be vandalism or similar, surely?

The signage is the usual joke - 12 foot in the air on the same pole as the cameras

Take a ladder Mart!

bod1467

Or a telescopic applicator.

Half_way

if your taking a ladder then why not help them comply with planning by placing some stickers on the camera lens?

spacey2012

The council will usually ignore the challenge to lack of planning permission and rates as they can smell the cash !
What you have to do is FOI them for planning documents first.
Then when they refuse you include the whole package in one "Final compliant"
then report them to the Local Government Ombudsman for failure to act in accordance with statutory duty under legalisation.

Then, the camera's vanish, boomf, gone.

Check lamposts for planning consent signs and take images of the lack of them as this is also a failure of statutory duty in informing the public and giving opportunity to objections .

Local Councils are turning the blind eye to parking eye as they see them as a source of future income and as we know money talks.