ENFORCEMENT of the controversial parking restrictions at St Michael’s retail park in Basingstoke is a ‘requirement’ of its planning permission ‘for safety reasons’, Basingstoke council has confirmed.

The Gazette has reported on several instances in the last few months where residents have been caught out by the 30-minute limit on a small enclave of ‘short-stay’ spaces at the retail park on The Harrow Way - leading to £100 fines.

One man successfully had his debt written off, after saying he would ‘make his point in court’.

Scott Jackson was one of many who claimed he had not seen the ‘inadequate’ signage on display.

In emails between Mr Jackson and the car park’s management, CHP Management Ltd, seen by the Gazette, the manager claimed they also did not want the parking restrictions to be in place, but that they were bound by ‘an obligation to enforce’.

They added: “Like you we do not want the parking enforcement in place, however it is something that has been forced upon us as a planning restriction of the recent short stay car park development. We are doing our best to try and make a case to the Basingstoke local authority that the restrictions should not be in place and parking fines to be stopped.

“As it stands we have an obligation to enforce this and failure to do so would mean a breach of our planning restrictions which in turn could result in major fines being issued to the landlord.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s head of planning, sustainability and infrastructure, Ruth Ormella, said: “When considering a planning application, the Local Planning Authority is required to take a number of factors into account, including parking and highway safety, and where necessary require conditions so that development is acceptable.

“Planning approval for the additional new car parking spaces next to Costa Coffee at St Michael’s retail park was granted on 12 November 2019 and included a restriction that ANPR cameras were installed and enforcement of the 30 minute wait time takes place. This restriction was included at the request of the highway authority for safety reasons, to ensure that customers accessing short stay services such as takeaways, are able to do so without having to queue or park on the access road which was a specific safety concern.

“The 30-minute time allows this area of the car park to flow, helping to keep the entrance of the retail park and the highway clear. The site has operated in accordance with these requirements, and in line with guidance for parking enforcement on private land and unregulated car parks.”

The Gazette has contacted CHP Management Ltd and the car park operator - PMC UK Ltd - on multiple occasions for comment.