Free Appeal Template

Gatwick Airport

I am the registered keeper of the vehicle. I am not obliged to identify the driver and decline to do so.

1. NCP cannot hold a registered keeper liable for any alleged contravention on land that is under statutory control. Gatwick Airport is not 'relevant land' as defined in Schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 ("POFA"). NCP is well aware that the POFA keeper liability provisions do not apply here, and has no lawful basis on which to pursue the registered keeper.

2. NCP's 'parking charge' is not and never purports to be a byelaws penalty, it is a charge created for NCP's own commercial profit. If Gatwick Airport wished to enforce against vehicle owners or keepers under Airport Byelaws, that would be a matter for the landowner alone. NCP is not the airport owner and has no standing to invoke byelaws. Its claim rests solely on alleged breach of contract against the driver, not the keeper.

3. The parking charge is not notified until after the contract is entered into. Under the Court of Appeal's decision in Thornton v Shoe Lane Parking [1971] 2 QB 163, a charge introduced after a contract has been formed does not become part of that contract.

4. The signage is not compliant with the BPA Code of Practice. Charging terms were not displayed clearly or prominently before the driver committed to entering the zone, meaning no valid contractual offer was made.

5. The vehicle was present in the drop-off zone for no more than 5 minutes, within the consideration period mandated by the BPA Code of Practice.

The registered keeper cannot be presumed or inferred to have been the driver, nor pursued under any interpretation of agency law. NCP's Notice to Keeper can only hold the driver liable, and that claim also fails for the reasons above. I require this PCN to be cancelled and invite confirmation of cancellation in writing.

Paste into the online appeal form and fill in your case details

How to use this appeal template

1
Click "Copy template" above, the full appeal is copied to your clipboard.
2
Log into the operator's online appeal system (or open your PCN) and paste the template into the appeal text box.
3
Submit and wait for a decision. The operator must respond within 35 days.
4
If rejected, request your POPLA code and escalate to the free, independent adjudicator, operators lose the vast majority of cases on these grounds.

Gatwick drop-off charge appeal

Got a PCN for dropping someone off at Gatwick? Use the free template above. It covers both terminals.

The charge

Gatwick has a drop-off zone at both the North Terminal and South Terminal.

Cameras record vehicles entering the zones.

The charge is £10 for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, it is £1 for each additional minute up to 20 minutes.

The maximum charge is £30. The maximum stay is 30 minutes.

You must pay by midnight the day after your visit.

If you do not pay, Gatwick can issue a Parking Charge Notice.

This is a private parking charge. It is not a council fine.

Why you can appeal

Gatwick's airport bylaws regulate the airport's land, buildings and roads. This can affect whether the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 can be used to hold the keeper liable.

You do not need to name who was driving, nor do they have any right to ask. This means that they cannot enforce keeper liability, as they can only confirm that you're the owner of the vehicle - not the driver.

Other points can help:

  • The zone boundary. Check the ANPR photos and the location of the drop-off zone.
  • Exit queues. If traffic kept you in the zone longer than expected, explain what happened.
  • Signs. Check whether the charge and its terms were clear before you entered.
  • Late payment notice. Check the date of your visit and the date of the PCN.
  • ANPR errors. Ask for the photos if the recorded times look wrong.

Questions

Does the charge apply to both Gatwick terminals?

Yes. Gatwick has designated drop-off zones at both terminals.

How much is the charge?

It is £10 for 10 minutes, then £1 for each additional minute up to 20 minutes. The maximum charge is £30 and the maximum stay is 30 minutes.

I was only there for two minutes, do I still have to pay?

Yes. Gatwick has a minimum £10 charge for using the designated drop-off zones.

Can I appeal if I didn't read the signs?

You can appeal. The parking charge is not notified until after the contract is entered into. A charge introduced after a contract has been formed does not become part of that contract. The signage is also not compliant with the BPA Code of Practice.

What happens if Gatwick's operator rejects my appeal?

This is unlikely. If it happens, check your rejection letter. If it gives you a POPLA verification code, you can make a free second-stage appeal.

Is the drop-off charge the same as a council parking ticket?

No. It is a private parking charge.

Quick tips

  • Check the deadline. Use the date on your PCN. Don't miss your chance to appeal.
  • Name the terminal. Say whether you used North or South Terminal.
  • Keep proof. Save your appeal and any reply.
  • Keep copies. Save the PCN, photos and correspondence.

Sources

Gatwick's current published tariff is £10 for 10 minutes, then £1 per additional minute up to 20 minutes. The maximum charge is £30.

Disclaimer: AppealAirportPCN.co.uk is a free information resource for UK drivers. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice. Templates are provided as a starting point, always review your specific circumstances. For complex cases, consider consulting a solicitor or Citizens Advice.