SOME people living in Ludlow town centre are unable to get parking permits because their property does not exist according to a database.

This is the basis of a complaint being looked into by Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North.

“I have received several complaints from town centre residents who cannot obtain on-street parking permits for the zone in which they live,” said Mr Boddington.

“Residents ring MiPermit, the Shropshire Council contractor to deliver parking charges

“They are then told their property is not on the database and they are denied a permit. This hasn’t happened before. Residents would simply contact the council, supply proof they lived at a property, pay a fee and the permit was in the post.

“But if you live in some addresses on Broad Street, Corve Street, Lower Galdeford, Market Street and other streets you are now denied a permit.”

Mr Boddington blamed a new approach to keeping records.

“The cause of the problem seems to be that Shropshire Council has changed from the common-sense approach of using council tax records as a proof of residence to the Local Land and Property Gazetteer,” he said.

“Internet sources suggest that this gazetteer is maintained by local councils. But how can that be when many council tax payers properties are excluded?

“This is something of a mystery to me, but I have asked officers to explain what is happening.”

Mr Boddington wants to hear from people that have been affected.

He wants to build up a list of properties denied.

Parking has been a major issue in Ludlow for two years since Shropshire Council announced changes to the rules both for on street parking and use of the car parks.

After a period of consultation, a mass meeting was staged in Ludlow Town centre in the summer of 2018 that resulted in some concessions.

The new parking regime started in November last year and the impact upon trade has been evaluated.

Traders and Ludlow Town Council say that business has taken a significant hit but Shropshire Council dispute that the new charges have been a factor.

Major concerns have been around a tightening up on the rules on how long people can park for a quick shop without having to pay.

Traders say that new rules on ‘pop and shop’ have had a serious negative impact on shops. There will be a review in November.