Residents of Leeming Bar, business owners on Leeming Bar Industrial Estate, Pembroke Caravan site and Coneygarth Truck Stop will be shocked to learn that Hambleton District Council (HDC) has closed vehicular access to all roads around their homes and businesses from 19.00 to 07.00.

This is due to a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that HDC Cabinet has agreed to amend. I quote:

“The activities prohibited by this order are: Sleeping or otherwise remaining in any vehicle within the Restricted Area for any period of time between the hours of 19:00hrs and 07:00hrs”

Since drivers cannot drive their vehicles without remaining in them, no vehicles can be driven on the roads covered by the red area on the map above. This means residents living off Low Street; business owners on Leeming Bar Industrial Estate: caravaneers on Pembroke Caravan site and truckers at Coneygarth Truck Stop cannot drive their vehicles to any of these places between the hours of 19.00 and 07.00.

Residential Property

For those property owners who live on Low Street and the roads off it, they must:

1. As per the Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (also known as Consumer Protection Regulations or CPRs), inform any prospective buyer that there is no right of vehicular access between 19.00 and 07.00 as this is pertinent information that could influence a prospective buyer’s decision.  This is because the law states that if a reasonable person would take a piece of information as a negative factor in their decision-making process, then it must be disclosed.
2. Inform their mortgage provider that there is no right of vehicular access to their property between 19.00 and 07.00.

Current Property For Sale – Ashlands Drive

Business Premises

For those business owners like Pembroke Caravan site and Coneygarth Truck Stop they must:

1. As per the Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (also known as Consumer Protection Regulations or CPRs), inform all prospective customers that there is no right of vehicular access between 19.00 and 07.00 as this is pertinent information that could influence a prospective customer’s decision.  This is because the law states that if a reasonable person would take a piece of information as a negative factor in their decision-making process, then it must be disclosed.
2. Inform their mortgage provider and loan providers that there is no right of vehicular access between 19.00 and 07.00.

Commercial Operations

All commercial operations on Leeming Bar Industrial Estate must:

1. As per the Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (also known as Consumer Protection Regulations or CPRs), inform any prospective buyer/customer that there is no right of vehicular access between 19.00 and 07.00 as this is pertinent information that could influence a prospective buyer’s/customer’s decision.  This is because the law states that if a reasonable person would take a piece of information as a negative factor in their decision-making process, then it must be disclosed.
2. Inform their mortgage provider that there is no right of vehicular access between 19.00 and 07.00.

Estate Agents, Solicitors and Parish Council

All local Estate Agents, Solicitors and the Parish Council must inform residents and prospective new residents of this restriction on vehicular access. Failure to do so could be seen as professional negligence.

Moving Forward

• Option 1

HDC must not approve the amended PSPO at its next Council meeting. They must also revoke the current PSPO.

• Option 2

If HDC decline to do this, I will be obliged to inform local Businesses, Estate Agents, Solicitors and the Parish Council of the situation.

HDC Chief Executive – 5 Working Days

I have given Justin Ives HDC Chief Executive 5 working days to advise how he would like to move the situation forward.

If I fail to receive an adequate solution, I will be forced to action Option 2.

Congratulations

I would like to congratulate HDC Director Steven Lister, Councillor Carl Les and HDC Cabinet for allowing this mess to happen.

In legal matters, the form of words is absolutely critical.