How to Appeal a Highview Parking Charge

Highview Parking: Who Are They and How Do They Operate?

Highview Parking operates under the British Parking Association (BPA) Approved Operator Scheme. This means they must follow the BPA Code of Practice, which sets standards for signage, notice periods, and appeals handling. Membership of the BPA also means that if Highview rejects your appeal, you can escalate to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals), the independent adjudication service for BPA members.

Highview issues Parking Charge Notices — not Penalty Charge Notices. Despite similar abbreviations, only councils and certain public authorities can issue the latter. Highview's charges are pursued through contract law, and keeper liability (holding the registered keeper responsible rather than the driver) only applies if Highview has followed the strict notice requirements set out in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (POFA 2012), Schedule 4.

Key Deadlines to Know

Acting promptly is essential. The typical deadlines for a Highview PCN are as follows:

• ▸28 days from the date of the charge notice to appeal to Highview directly (check your notice as this can vary slightly).
• ▸28 days from receipt of a POPLA reference code to submit your independent appeal to POPLA.
• ▸Paying within the early payment window (often 14 days) may reduce the charge, but doing so usually ends your right to appeal — read the notice carefully before paying.
• ▸If you miss the Highview appeal window, POPLA will generally not accept your case, so do not delay.

Step 1 — Appeal Directly to Highview

Your first step is an informal appeal to Highview Parking themselves. You can usually do this via their website or by post. Keep a copy of everything you send and note the date. Highview must acknowledge your appeal and pause the charge while it is under consideration — they cannot demand payment during this period.

In your appeal, state the grounds clearly and concisely. Attach any supporting evidence such as photographs, pay-and-display receipts, a valid permit, or a blue badge. Highview will issue a written decision. If they reject it, they must provide a POPLA reference code so you can escalate.

Grounds That Often Succeed Against Highview

The strength of your appeal depends on the specific circumstances, but the following grounds frequently succeed at both the operator stage and at POPLA:

• ▸Inadequate or unclear signage: BPA rules require signs to be prominently placed and legible. If the terms were not clearly visible on entry, no contract was formed.
• ▸You were the registered keeper but not the driver: Under POFA 2012, Highview can only pursue a keeper if their notices meet strict timing and content requirements. A missing or late Notice to Keeper breaks keeper liability.
• ▸Payment was made or a valid permit was displayed: If a technical error caused the charge despite compliance, provide evidence of payment or permit validity.
• ▸The charge is disproportionate: POPLA has found charges unenforceable where operators could not justify the amount as a genuine pre-estimate of loss or a commercially justifiable deterrent.
• ▸Grace periods not observed: The BPA Code of Practice requires a minimum 10-minute grace period after a parking session ends. If you were charged immediately upon expiry, this is a valid ground.
• ▸Landowner or lease disputes: If Highview did not have valid authority from the landowner to issue charges at the time of the alleged contravention, the charge has no basis.

Step 2 — Escalating to POPLA

If Highview rejects your appeal, they must give you a POPLA reference code. POPLA is a free, independent service and its decisions are binding on the operator but not on you — if POPLA rules against you, you can still choose not to pay, though Highview could then pursue the matter through the county court.

Submit your POPLA appeal online at popla.co.uk within 28 days of receiving the code. You can reuse the grounds from your Highview appeal and add any new evidence. POPLA assessors look at evidence objectively, and operators are required to provide their full case file, which you can review and respond to. POPLA upholds a significant proportion of motorist appeals each year.

If You Ignore the Charge or Miss Deadlines

Ignoring a private parking charge does not make it disappear. Highview can register a county court judgment (CCJ) against you if they issue a claim and you do not respond. A CCJ affects your credit rating and can lead to enforcement action. However, private parking operators must follow the correct legal process and many cases settle or are dropped before reaching court.

If you have already missed the appeal deadline, it is still worth contacting Highview to explain your circumstances. They are not obliged to reopen an appeal, but some operators exercise discretion. Document any correspondence carefully.

Tips for a Stronger Appeal

A well-structured appeal is more likely to succeed. Keep these practical points in mind:

• ▸Photograph the signs in the car park as soon as possible after receiving the charge — sign adequacy is one of the most common winning grounds.
• ▸Do not reveal who was driving unless you intend to name them — as keeper, you are not legally required to identify the driver in a private parking case.
• ▸Be factual and calm in your appeal; avoid emotional language and focus on specific breaches of the BPA Code of Practice or POFA 2012.
• ▸Keep copies of your PCN, all correspondence, receipts, and any photographs in case the matter escalates.
• ▸Use FineFlip to help draft and structure your appeal letter with the relevant legal points included.

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