PEOPLE are fuming at “unfair” fines they were given for parking outside a Merseyside discount store.

Multiple parking tickets have been handed to motorists at the Home Bargains store in Moreton, Wirral, and while some motorists believe private enforcement firm ParkingEye doesn’t have permission to hand out the fines, others believe they’ve been unfairly treated.

Local resident Mike Mcdonough told the Local Democracy Service his elderly mother-in-law is now anxious to go shopping after being slapped with an initial £60 fine.

He said she was given a ticket at the store’s car park on Hoylake Road – despite displaying a disabled badge giving her three hours to park anywhere.

Mike said: “She has just had an operation for a new hip. I would like my mother-in-law refunded on what she has paid out. We are stressed because she is stressed, she hasn’t got a husband to fall back on for help, she’s really anxious about going shopping now. She has lived in Moreton all her life.

“She now thinks that every time she goes shopping she will get a fine.”

Other motorists have claimed the store should not be handing out fines as it’s only recently applied for planning permission to Wirral council for parking enforcement – including signs, barriers and automatic number plate cameras. An application was submitted to the authority on November 27 for the 60-space facility, and is yet to be approved.

Another motorist said she received a fine while taking her mother to an optometrist appointment and was “three minutes late” getting back to her car. She said she will not now return to the area she “feels like the local businesses are allowing this to happen”.

Another revealed her fine had been cancelled by the firm after appeal.

Home Bargains refused to comment, while a ParkingEye spokesman said: “ParkingEye are a member of the British Parking Association and operate a BPA audited appeals service and anyone who believes they have mitigating circumstances are encouraged to appeal.”

While members of the BPA do not need permission to hand out fines on private property when permission is given by the landowner, planning permission is required to lawfully operate cameras and erect signs.

The planning application, submitted by ParkingEye, said: “The equipment used for the proposed development will be of a standard specification and be as environmentally sensitive as possible in terms of design.

“The scheme has been located on an area of land that is already used for car parking and as such will not significantly impact upon visual or landscape receptors. The proposal will ensure that the existing car park is used more effectively and reduce the amount of abuse that currently occurs.”

A spokeswoman for Wirral council said: “Planning permission for the signage and cameras have now been applied for and these applications will be handled in accordance with usual procedures.”