Retrospective plans to keep parking cameras and signs, Bangor

A PARKING enforcement company has applied for permission to retain cameras and signs it installed at a busy retail park several months ago.

It emerged in March that UK Parking Company (UKPC) had not applied for planning permission before erecting the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and warning signs outside The Range store on Caernarfon Road in Bangor.

The signs, warning motorists that if they exceed the maximum stay of three hours they will face a charge of £100, was brought to the attention of Gwynedd Council after the sudden appearance of the signs and the lack of a Welsh translation.

The results of a subsequent investigation by Gwynedd Council found that the company had not applied for planning permission before installing them, but confirmed it would not be investigating any further as it “would not be expedient” to do so.

The retrospective application, which has now been lodged with the authority’s planning department by UK Parking Control Ltd, notes that the initial installation took place last November with the cameras and signs also covering the adjacent car park for the Next and Argos stores.

The authority’s highways department, meanwhile, has confirmed it has no objection to their retention after confirming “it was not considered
to have an adverse effect on any highway, or proposed highway.”

Several motorists are known to have been issued with parking charges of £100 from the company, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

In a statement this past March, Gwynedd Council said: “We have investigated the matter of the advertisements displayed within the curtilage of The Range premises in Bangor, and have concluded the advertisements are being displayed without the express consent of the council as Local Planning Authority.

“However, as they are located entirely on private land, the council does not consider it would be expedient to instigate further proceedings, as their small size do not have a detrimental effect on the visual amenities of the surrounding area, and they do not have a detrimental impact on the safety of highway users.

“From a planning viewpoint, these are the only two matters that may be considered when determining whether or not to instigate enforcement action in such matters.

“Any motorists who feel that they have incorrectly been issued a penalty notice in a private car-park should lodge an appeal with POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) – the independent appeals service for Parking Charge Notices issued on private land.

“In terms of the limited nature of the CCTV cameras, the Council as the Local Planning Authority confirms that it would not be expedient to instigate further investigations or any formal action.”

Its expected that Gwynedd Council’s planning department will consider the application over the coming weeks.