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#Post#: 111222--------------------------------------------------
Gemini PCN - Crystal Palace Sports Centre (Help!)
DIR By: moomin
Date: February 26, 2026, 8:17 am
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Hi there.
I could really do with your expertise and help on a PCN I have
been issued (and am currently appealing against) from Gemini.
This is my first post, so apologies if I break any protocols or
miss anything.
Thanks!
Contravention: Parking in a Non-Parking Area
Issuing Company: Gemini Parking Solutions LTD
Date of Contravention: 08/02/2026
Location of Contravention: GLL Crystal Palace / Crystal Palace
Sports Centre (London)
Appeal in process: Yes - Initially refused by Gemini - option to
proceed with appealing via IAS
Context of Contravention:
I visited the Crystal Palace Sports Centre on a very busy day
with lots of fixtures taking place. The concrete car park area
was full and many other drivers had parked on a grass area. I
assumed this was a temporary way to manage to the volume so I
too parked here.
There were no signs indicating that this was not explicitly
allowed - only signs relevant to the car park area itself.
Access to the area was through an entrance gap in the bollards.
There were no signs at this entrance area specifically
indicating that this was a no parking area. I returned to my
vehicle an hour later just as a Gemini representative was
issuing tickets to all the cars on the grass area.
I have gone through the first part of the appeal (which they
have refused :-[ ) and have copied in my appeal points below
(which I formally responded to Gemini with).
---------------------------------
"Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to formally appeal the Parking Charge Notice
referenced above.
The charge has been issued on the basis that the vehicle was
allegedly “not parked in a parking area.” I dispute that any
contract was formed or breached for the following reasons.
Firstly, the signage at the exact location I was parked was
inadequate, unclear and only positioned for parts of the tarmac
parking area. There was no clear signage at the open access
entrance to the area I parked on, nor in the vicinity of the
grass where the vehicle was parked that stated parking on this
area was prohibited, or that a charge would apply. The only
visible signage indicated restrictions within the tarmac car
park area itself. There were no road markings, bays, barriers,
or physical indicators to distinguish this area as restricted
and the fact that many other cars were parked there suggested
that the grass area may have been available on this day to park
on for sports fixtures. A driver cannot be deemed to have
accepted contractual terms that were not clearly communicated
before parking.
Secondly, the photographic evidence provided does not
demonstrate any signage or markings relevant to the alleged
contravention. The images merely show the vehicle parked on some
grass and do not evidence the existence, visibility, or wording
of any terms and conditions applicable to that location or
indeed the area that Gemini is contracted over. As such, the
evidence you provided fails to support the assertion that the
driver was in breach of any clearly displayed contractual terms
for the area.
Thirdly, I put the operator to provide strict proof that it has
the necessary landowner authority to issue parking charges on
the specific area of land where the vehicle was parked (namely a
grass area and not the car park). Please provide irrefutable
evidence to me that the grass area forms part of the land
covered by your enforcement contract and that you are authorised
to pursue charges in respect of it.
In the absence of clear signage, defined parking boundaries for
the grass area, and proof of landowner authority over the area
in question, the Parking Charge Notice has been issued
incorrectly and should be cancelled.
Should you choose to reject this appeal, please provide further
appeal details and evidence requested so that the matter may be
referred to independent adjudication.
I look forward to your confirmation that the charge has been
cancelled.
Yours faithfully..."
-------------------------------------
What I need help with?
1 - Please can someone help me with understanding if my appeal
points are valid and also if they carry enough weight to
continue with the appeal?
2 - Gemini has advised that I must continue my appeal with IAS
(Independent Appeals Service) - but on even cursory
investigation it seems this organisation is biased to the
private operator with a low chance of appeal success. Is it even
worth carrying on the appeal with them?
Thanks so much in advance for any help!
----------
Photos provided by Gemini of alleged contravention
HTML https://photos.app.goo.gl/8Hs51oMSH4Hab5ug9
HTML https://photos.app.goo.gl/8Hs51oMSH4Hab5ug9
My photos of the signage and area:
HTML https://photos.app.goo.gl/G3wLrwiS5fvyrCqz5
HTML https://photos.app.goo.gl/G3wLrwiS5fvyrCqz5
#Post#: 111238--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gemini PCN - Crystal Palace Sports Centre (Help!)
DIR By: Brenda_R2
Date: February 26, 2026, 10:04 am
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Well you appear to have outed yourself as the driver?
#Post#: 111240--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gemini PCN - Crystal Palace Sports Centre (Help!)
DIR By: InterCity125
Date: February 26, 2026, 10:12 am
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As already indicated, better to take advice then appeal rather
than the other way around.
Do you have a NtK or was it purely a windscreen NtD?
#Post#: 111244--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gemini PCN - Crystal Palace Sports Centre (Help!)
DIR By: moomin
Date: February 26, 2026, 10:22 am
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--- Quote from: InterCity125 link ---
>
> As already indicated, better to take advice then appeal rather
than the other way around.
>
> Do you have a NtK or was it purely a windscreen NtD?
>
--- End Quote ---
Sorry - I dont know what NtK or NtD means?
The car is a company car... In my appeal I did not identify as
the driver at the time of the contravention only as the
keeper... The text I sent was edited.
#Post#: 111245--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gemini PCN - Crystal Palace Sports Centre (Help!)
DIR By: Brenda_R2
Date: February 26, 2026, 10:25 am
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NTK = something that's come via the postal system (notice to
keeper)
NTD = something that's stuck to your windscreen usually in a
cellophane package (notice to driver)
#Post#: 111246--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gemini PCN - Crystal Palace Sports Centre (Help!)
DIR By: moomin
Date: February 26, 2026, 10:26 am
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Ah thanks. No it came via email from my company. They received a
postal pcn first and digitised it to me.
#Post#: 111247--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gemini PCN - Crystal Palace Sports Centre (Help!)
DIR By: Brenda_R2
Date: February 26, 2026, 10:28 am
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--- Quote from: moomin link ---
>
> Ah thanks. No it came via email from my company. They received
a postal pcn first and digitised it to me.
>
--- End Quote ---
So it's a company car but you appealed as the registered keeper?
#Post#: 111258--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gemini PCN - Crystal Palace Sports Centre (Help!)
DIR By: InterCity125
Date: February 26, 2026, 11:38 am
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Also, you say that you didn't identify the driver but your
appeal you clearly state "I parked..."
Please advise?
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