Parking firm told to get planning permission for controversial cameras

THE enforcers of a controversial parking restriction near a parade of New Milton shops have applied for retrospective planning permission for cameras amid allegations they were installed without consent from New Forest District Council.

Many motorists have fallen foul of £100 penalty charge notices (PCNs) over the last two years since Britannia Parking imposed a 20-minute limit to those using the Old Milton Green car park, alongside the A337 Christchurch Road.

As reported in the A&T, the private parking firm was hired to regulate the site’s use by its landlord, who also owns the building occupied by the Launderama laundrette, run by Barry Hopwood.

Several customers of businesses in the parade, which also include Indian restaurant The Raj, Moorland Wine, bakery The Bread Basket and a branch of Greggs, have complained 20 minutes is not enough time to use them.

Some of the traders have also been hit, including The Bread Basket’s owner, Anthony Brolan, who received 17 £100 PCNs for delivering stock in his van in the mornings. This led to him having to agree to pay Britannia £40 a month to continue doing this.

Prompted by friends’ experiences of being penalised for parking at Old Milton Green, Bournemouth resident Angela Squires called on New Forest District Council to take action against Britannia.

This was after she discovered there was no record of the firm having applied for planning permission to install the two pole-mounted automatic number plate recognition cameras which monitor vehicles coming and going.

Speaking to the A&T, she argued these required planning permission as the poles were over 2.5 metres high.

As reported last week, Britannia has only recently secured retrospective planning permission for the five pole-mounted notices warning drivers about the 20-minute restriction.

In a letter to NFDC, Ms Squires said: “Britannia Parking have (a) cited an illegally erected signage as the contractual justification for their claim, (b) used pictures from illegally installed cameras as evidence submitted to court, and (c) used those pictures to make 'registered keeper' inquiries to DVLA to obtain personal data.”

Replying, planning technician for enforcement Brett Vince wrote: “The agent and the car park company have been requested to submit a retrospective planning application for the pole and camera and have until 28 August to submit an application which will be considered by an allocated planning officer.”

Responding to the criticisms, a spokesperson for Britannia told the A&T it had now applied for retrospective planning permission for the cameras.

“The car park installation at Old Green Parade is classed on a ‘de minimis’ basis, meaning it does not necessarily require planning permission,” the spokesperson said.

“Although we have operated the site for a number of years, the council has recently approached us to ask that we apply for retrospective planning permission.

“We are very happy to do this and have begun the application process.”

Controversy over the parking restriction has raged over the last couple of years, with some customers and traders saying it was having a damaging effect on the businesses there.

But Launderama owner Mr Hopwood argued it has benefitted trade by freeing up parking spaces for more customers to come and go, while preventing vehicles being left there all day.

New Milton Town Council also waded into the debate with unsuccessful attempts to convince the car park’s landlord, who is mostly based in London, to extend the time limit.