Landowner faces £46k bill after operating 'unofficial' car park by Wexham Park Hospital

11:38am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

Landowner faces £46k bill after operating 'unofficial' car park by hospital. Landowner faces £46k bill after operating 'unofficial' car park by hospital.

A COUNCIL has won a lengthy legal battle against a landowner who operated an “unauthorised” car park by a hospital site.

Jimmy Smith, 45, was charging £3 per day for vehicles to park on Green Belt land opposite Wexham Park Hospital, according to South Bucks District Council.

Patients and visitors have long complained about a lack of parking within the official hospital car park, where drivers have to stump up £10 per day.

The council, alerted to the unofficial car park in early 2010, said Mr Smith has since failed to comply with two enforcement notices which required him to cease this use and take out some hard-standing from the land.

Mr Smith, of The Warren, Rowley Lane, Wexham, pleaded guilty to non-compliance with the enforcement notices, the council said, for which he was fined £3,600 after a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court.

And due to the monetary gain from the car park, the council also sought legal action under the Proceeds of Crime Act and Mr Smith was ordered to pay £33,600, as well as the council’s legal costs of £9,000.

Bosses at Wexham Park Hospital told the Bucks Free Press they are aware of the parking problems within the hospital site and are continuing to explore options to improve the situation. This includes plans to add 66 parking spaces for patients and visitors.

The BFP contacted Mr Smith but he did not wish to comment.

Comments (7)

12:39pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Cressex Offender says...

If Mr Smith owns the land why shouldn't he offer an alternative to the rip off prices the hospital charge? This is ridiculous.
If Mr Smith owns the land why shouldn't he offer an alternative to the rip off prices the hospital charge? This is ridiculous. Cressex Offender

12:58pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Voyeur says...

This decision seems barmy. There is a huge lack of parking at Wexham Park hospital and this entrepreneur sees a gap in the market and takes the initiative. With the Tory government apparently happy to see building on the green belt across the country, what is wrong with a cheaper car park helping patients, visitors and staff?
This decision seems barmy. There is a huge lack of parking at Wexham Park hospital and this entrepreneur sees a gap in the market and takes the initiative. With the Tory government apparently happy to see building on the green belt across the country, what is wrong with a cheaper car park helping patients, visitors and staff? Voyeur

12:59pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Voyeur says...

This decision seems barmy. There is a huge lack of parking at Wexham Park hospital and this entrepreneur sees a gap in the market and takes the initiative. With the Tory government apparently happy to see building on the green belt across the country, what is wrong with a cheaper car park helping patients, visitors and staff?
This decision seems barmy. There is a huge lack of parking at Wexham Park hospital and this entrepreneur sees a gap in the market and takes the initiative. With the Tory government apparently happy to see building on the green belt across the country, what is wrong with a cheaper car park helping patients, visitors and staff? Voyeur

4:47pm Wed 16 Jan 13

BucksComment says...

I doubt Mr Smith will end up paying - he is probably packing up his caravan and lurchers as we speak.
I doubt Mr Smith will end up paying - he is probably packing up his caravan and lurchers as we speak. BucksComment

8:32pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Marlow77 says...

Could they not buy some of the land off him... For £33,600 and put a bit of hard standing on it?
Could they not buy some of the land off him... For £33,600 and put a bit of hard standing on it? Marlow77

12:27pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Scarletto says...

Petty and expensive enforcement action against him - and he eased a problem for people at the hospital. Our public money spent on this prosecution action when vital services are being cut back by the council.
Lawyers prospered from it.
£98,000 of our money spent on pressing this case.
Petty and expensive enforcement action against him - and he eased a problem for people at the hospital. Our public money spent on this prosecution action when vital services are being cut back by the council. Lawyers prospered from it. £98,000 of our money spent on pressing this case. Scarletto

2:41pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Dr James says...

BucksComment wrote:
I doubt Mr Smith will end up paying - he is probably packing up his caravan and lurchers as we speak.
Ah be jeeesus now, dont be like dat, I know the fella, say's he'll be around to fix yer drive in the mornin.
[quote][p][bold]BucksComment[/bold] wrote: I doubt Mr Smith will end up paying - he is probably packing up his caravan and lurchers as we speak.[/p][/quote]Ah be jeeesus now, dont be like dat, I know the fella, say's he'll be around to fix yer drive in the mornin. Dr James

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