How to use this appeal template
Free Appeal Template, Stansted Airport
Stansted AirportI appeal as the keeper of the vehicle. I am not obliged to identify the driver and decline to do so.
1. The parking operator is unable to transfer the driver's liability (if any) to the keeper under Schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 ("POFA") because the drop-off zone at Stansted Airport is not 'relevant land' as defined in POFA. Airport land subject to statutory control falls outside the scope of Schedule 4. The operator therefore has no lawful basis to pursue the registered keeper.
As keeper I am in any event entitled to all the defences available to the driver, including (without limitation):
2. 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 not communicated prior to contract formation does not become part of that contract.
3. The signage is not compliant with the BPA Code of Practice, paragraph 18. The approach road to Stansted's terminal commits drivers to the zone before adequate charging information is visible. No clear, prominent offer of terms was made at a point where the driver could realistically have chosen to avoid the zone, and no valid contract was therefore formed.
4. The vehicle was present in the drop-off zone for no more than 5 minutes. The driver is entitled to the 5-minute consideration period mandated by the BPA Code of Practice, during which no charge may be applied.
5. The charge is not a genuine pre-estimate of loss and is an unenforceable penalty at common law. No identifiable loss was caused to the operator by the vehicle's brief presence in the drop-off zone.
Any one of the above grounds is sufficient to require cancellation of this PCN. I require the charge to be cancelled and invite written confirmation of cancellation.
How to appeal a Stansted Airport drop-off charge
Stansted Airport (near London) operates a single ANPR-enforced drop-off charge zone. Drivers are charged £2 for up to 10 minutes or £4 for up to 30 minutes, issued as a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) by a private parking operator.
The charge is not a council Penalty Charge Notice. It is a private civil debt under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, and critically, Stansted is airport land subject to statutory control. This means that the operator cannot pursue the registered keeper under the Act's 'keeper liability' provisions (Schedule 4). The claim must rest on driver liability alone, which is much harder to enforce.
Stansted charges are frequently challenged successfully, particularly on signage grounds and due to the operator's inability to impose keeper liability. Additionally, signage compliance at Stansted has been questioned in multiple POPLA decisions, making this a strong appeal ground specifically for this airport.
Why Stansted charges are so frequently challenged, and won
1. Signage placement on the approach road
Stansted's charge zone begins at a point on the A1020 airport spur road that is not obviously a "car park" in the traditional sense. Several POPLA adjudications have found that the signage did not meet BPA requirements because drivers were already committed to the approach before encountering clear charge information.
2. Peak-hour exit congestion
Stansted is a busy single-terminal airport and its drop-off forecourt regularly experiences congestion during peak departure periods, particularly early mornings. If you dropped off your passenger promptly but were delayed leaving due to a queue, document the time of day and any known flight schedules in your appeal.
3. "I didn't know about the charge"
Whilst simply saying you didn't know isn't technically a legal ground, this personal context is relevant to a goodwill first-appeal request. Many operators will cancel a first charge for a driver who demonstrates genuine surprise. Include this alongside a signage ground for maximum effect.
4. Passenger required special assistance
If your passenger required more time due to disability, mobility issues, a large number of bags, or a medical situation, include this context. Operators have discretion to cancel charges on compassionate grounds.
Frequently asked questions, Stansted drop-off charges
How do I find the appeals address for Stansted's PCN operator?
The appeals address will be printed on the Parking Charge Notice itself, usually on the reverse. The operator name will also appear on the notice. If the PCN was sent by post, an online appeals portal address may also be included. Always use the contact details on your specific notice, as operators and processes do change.
Do I need to pay the charge whilst appealing?
No. Under BPA rules, the operator must not take enforcement action whilst a valid appeal is being considered. Do not pay before your appeal is decided, doing so will typically be treated as acceptance of the charge and forfeits your right to continue appealing.
Can Stansted's operator send bailiffs to my home?
Not directly, and not without a court order. A private parking charge is a civil debt. To enforce it, the operator would need to apply to the County Court for a CCJ. This is rare for a single contested charge, especially one where a formal appeal has been submitted.
What is the difference between a PCN and a penalty charge notice?
Despite sharing the same abbreviation, a Parking Charge Notice (issued by a private operator) and a Penalty Charge Notice (issued by a council or TfL) are fundamentally different. Council penalty charge notices are statutory and have stronger enforcement powers. Private parking charge notices are civil claims. Stansted's charge is a private parking charge notice, the weaker of the two types.
How long does the appeals process take?
First-stage informal appeals to the operator typically receive a decision within 35 days. If you escalate to POPLA, adjudication usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. Throughout both stages, no enforcement action should be taken.