Street Car Parking Abuse

[craigyboy71]

I am a East Dulwich resident who always struggles to find a car park space near my house, so often have no choice but to park in a nearby street after returning from the office. This situation has worsened over the last year or so due to a neighbour operating a people carrier rental business, therefore occupying at least four of these precious spaces!It seemingly isn't that successful as they are always there! I guess without car park permits he / she can do what they want? I just think it's really taking the micky and is very selfish.

[Lynne]

I know a lot of people will say "he's trying to run an business, and good luck to him" This is an arguable point of view, but there are. I believe, regulations about running your business from the street, which is what this bloke is, in effect doing. Otherwise why would people bother renting premises? Professional street car sales, for instance, were stamped out some years ago. With parking the way it is, I have a lot of sympathy with craigyboy. There's one operator in Upland Rd who's taking the michael in this way.

Lynne

[tomskip]

If you mean the VW campervan business I agree with you Lynne!

[craigyboy71]

tomskip Wrote:

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> If you mean the VW campervan business I agree with

> you Lynne!

yes that's the business!Including his own vehicle there are 4 spaces taken... so there are regulations?

[PokerTime]

If the vehicles are taxed and insured etc, they have a right to be parked anywhere on the public highway. You may not like it but the owner is not breaking any regulations, so there is no abuse in law. Commercial vehicles (which includes vehicles for hire) pay much higher insurance as well. There is no guaranteed right to be able to park outside your home on a public highway.

[firekat2]

That's fair enough but not take up 4 spaces! that's taking the mick.

[Ladygooner]

Have you tried speaking to your neighbour to explain the problem?

[tomskip]

I'm surprised to hear that no regulations or bylaws are being broken. If I recall correctly there was a similar issue with Dulwich Van Hire using the roads nearby to park their vehicles when they sold their yard (next to Barrys Food Store, now a terrace of houses). They had to stop in the end, but I can't remember how that came about. There was a long thread on the forum about it.

[Roundabout]

What road?

[tiddles]

given that these camper vans are often a target for thieves, I can sympathise with the owner wanting to keep them within sight.

[PokerTime]

I don't know about Dulwich Van Hire, but there is no regulation to stop any vehicle that is properly taxed and insured from being park anywhere on a public highway. Many businesses, like taxi firms and car hire companies park their vehicles on the highway.

[worldwiser]

Another problem a CPZ would kill overnight.

[Loz]

Bit like chopping your hand off to get rid of a splinter, though.

[craigyboy71]

I found this previous discussion on the forum which is of relevance here (I think!):

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,634118

[ianr]

There's also http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,336529,459608#msg-459608 (James Barber) and http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,441638,441653.

[scotch]

Well said poker time. If there car is taxed and insured they can park there. So.... You want them to move their cars/vans to park where exactly?

[kford]

I'm not sure a cpz would stop it. I had a car and two bikes with permits at the same address in another part of town.

[worldwiser]

Islington, for instance, allows one car per person and vehicles for business have to be parked off-road or display a business permit for use only in specific business spaces. Works very well.

[JohnL]

If a home is being used as a business and it begins to cause material changes - then a load of laws are invoked.

"The likelihood of there having been such a material change of use may be indicated where the business or non-residential use generates visitors, traffic, noise or fumes over and above what might be expected if the property were in use as a single dwelling without any ancillary use.

If the relevant inspections are passed - than OK :)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/people/6581497/Home-businesses-battle-against-legislative-barriers.html

PokerTime Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I don't know about Dulwich Van Hire, but there is

> no regulation to stop any vehicle that is properly

> taxed and insured from being park anywhere on a

> public highway. Many businesses, like taxi firms

> and car hire companies park their vehicles on the

> highway.

[PokerTime]

I can't see how parking four vehicles outside a residential address does that. Self employed people are allowed to trade from any prperty they own, even if it's their primary address. I dont see any evidence in the OPs thread that suggests anything more inconvenient that he/or she not being able to park outside their home sometimes.

[JohnL]

The issue is planning permission to run a business from home - which is needed when it starts to effect other residents - I'd think then the council will limit the amount of businesses approved in an area. I think the Tories have relaxed regulations from what they were.

To me - about 4 cars may imply a start-up business may be being run. The business may expand - to be honest I'd just monitor for now (when does it become an issue - 10 cars for instance).

[PokerTime]

I think that's fair comment John. I've owned three vehicles at one time before, and it's not unusual to find a household of four adults owning four vehicles - mum, dad, and the kids!

[charlesfare]

Has the OP tried speaking to the car owner in question?

[tommy_guy]

Good news craigyboy71, looks like one of them was rented today.

I would say get in there quick but it appears the tactical parking to save the space is already in operation.

I agreed about speaking to the owner, he seemed pleasant enough when i spoke to him once in passing.

[cornelia]

Apart from people who have businesses I can't understand why anyone in ED would own a car anyway OP. Really there should be plenty of parking spaces for this guy's vans. It's zone two for crying out loud not some rural backwater like DV where you have to drive everywhere.