DSainsburys Loughbourough - no planing permision for signs,

Half_way

Spotted this over on pepipoo
http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=100741

lifted from the Loughbourough local paper
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/sainsburys-rejects-claim-parking-charges-9795829#ICID=sharebar_twitter

SAINSBURY'S in Loughborough does not have planning permission for the cameras and signs in its car park, leaving a local resident claiming his excess parking charge is invalid.
The grocery store unveiled new technology in May last year, which stopped people from parking for more than two hours in its car park.
Numer plate recognition cameras were installed to monitor the time a car enters the car park and the time it leaves, to ensure it is no longer than two hours.
The system is managed by Horizon Parking and those found to have stayed longer than two hours are fined £60.
However, Charnwood Borough Council has said Sainsbury’s do not have planning permission, leading one resident to question the validity of the parking tickets.
A Charnwood Borough Council spokesman said: “The council is aware that the cameras and signs have been put up without planning permission.
“In cases like this it is our policy to try and seek a resolution before considering any enforcement action. A representative for Sainsbury’s has informed us that a planning application for the equipment and signs will be submitted.
“Should we receive an application, then it will be considered in the usual way.
“With regards to the validity of the parking tickets, as this is private property it is a matter for the landowner and not the council.”
Loughborough resident Paul Mitchell has claimed the parking charge he received is invalid due to the cameras and signs at Sainsbury’s not having planning permission.
He said: “As it stands, any parking charges that have been paid should now be repaid by Horizon Parking, as the signage is illegally placed and therefore no contract could ever exist.
“In my estimation, Horizon Parking have obtained monies from the public that they were not entitled to.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Our car park is for our customers to use while they are doing their shopping. This is clearly signed and is monitored by our parking partner to make sure that the car park is used fairly.
“It’s entirely false to suggest that parking charges in our private car park are not enforceable and we would warn customers that this is untrue.”

http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/sainsburys-rejects-claim-parking-charges-9795829#ICID=sharebar_twitter


If im not mistaken isnt there already something rumbling on about no planing permission for signs and a possible link to a possible criminal act by the directors/management at another site (LJLA?)?

im not quite sure on this wonder tech

The grocery store unveiled new technology in May last year, which stopped people from parking for more than two hours in its car park.

maybe they have giant springs in the car park that forcibly eject vehicles after two hours

Umkomaas

It’s entirely false to suggest that parking charges in our private car park are not enforceable and we would warn customers that this is untrue.”

'Warning customers'. What a wonderful way to conduct business. Hopefully their 'warned customers' will become the 'valued customers' of other retailers, less keen on issuing their customers with 'warnings'.

I'd never shop there again, but, most importantly, I'd be writing to the local manager and the Sainsbury's MD to tell them exactly why. How dare they 'warn customers'. Absolutely appalling supremacy, coupled with utter complacency!

You just can't make this stuff up most of the time!

Northlakes

Before a supermarket and the PPC can erect the ANPR cameras and signage two consents are required.
1) Planning permission for the ANPR cameras.
2) Consent for the signage, if the signage is visible from the public highway and greater than 55cms square. Most do require this permission under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements)(England) 2007 Regulations. Unlawful signage is a criminal offence.

Most landowners/PPC's avoid applying as it can take a few months to sort out and awkward members of the public often delay the proceedings by objecting and insisting it goes before the full planning committee.

The advice I have been given is that a contract may have been formed with the PPC but it is unenforceable and therefore void because of the illegality.

My contact in Penrith (with a similar situation) will be pleased to send to a poster a copy of the objection that has been raised with that local council.

There are more revelations to come on the planning front.

A poster on pepipoo provides a case link.

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2015/630.html

Half_way

info here on planing permission and signage http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/planning-application-for-signage-at.html