Stung by a Horizon Parking Fine? Fight Back: How to Appeal and Win

If you’ve just got a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) from Horizon Parking, you’re probably feeling a mix of shock, frustration, and stress. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to just roll over and pay. Horizon Parking tickets can be successfully challenged, and the process is easier than you think.

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know to appeal your fine, including key facts, common mistakes to avoid, and how Resolvo can help you fight it.

Appeal your Horizon fine with Resolvo in just 2 minutes - it's completely free

Key Facts About Horizon Parking PCNs

• 28-day appeal window: You have 28 days from the date the PCN is issued to file an appeal.

• Appealing freezes the fine: The amount won’t increase while your appeal is under review.

• Paying waives your appeal rights : Once you pay, you can’t challenge the fine, so explore your options first.

• Escalate to POPLA: If Horizon rejects your appeal, you can take it to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals), an independent body.

• Evidence is king: Photos, receipts, and other documents will help strengthen your appeal

Are Horizon Parking Fines Enforceable?

horizon-parking-warden-issuing-fine

Yes—but not automatically. Horizon is a private company, and their tickets fall under civil contract law, not criminal enforcement.

• They must prove that you breached their terms and that those terms were clearly communicated.

• To enforce a PCN, Horizon would need to take you to small claims court and win.

• Many PCNs are can be cancelled before that stage—especially when drivers file clear, well-supported appeals.

Should You Ignore a Horizon Parking Ticket?

No—ignoring a PCN can lead to debt collectors or court proceedings. If Horizon takes the case to small claims court and wins, you could receive a County Court Judgment (CCJ), which affects your credit rating.

How to Appeal Your Horizon Parking Ticket

Appealing can feel daunting, but it’s actually a simple four-step process. You can do it manually—or let Resolvo do the work for you.

Step 1: Check If the PCN Is Valid

Errors in the notice or unclear parking conditions may make the charge unenforceable. Look for:

• Incorrect vehicle registration, date, or time

• No grace period (usually 10 minutes) provided

• Unclear or missing signage

• A valid permit or parking payment was in place

• Legitimate reasons like a medical emergency or vehicle breakdown

Step 2: Collect Evidence

A strong appeal is backed by facts. Gather:

• Photos of signage, your vehicle, or the payment machine

• Screenshots of app payments or bank statements

• Documentation related to breakdowns or health issues

• Witness statements, if relevant

Step 3: Submit Your Appeal

• Visit Horizon Parking’s official appeal portal

• Enter your PCN number and vehicle registration

• Upload your evidence and explain your situation

Step 4: Escalate to POPLA (If Rejected)

If Horizon rejects your appeal, you can take it to POPLA, the independent appeals service for private parking.

• Use the POPLA code in your rejection letter

• Submit your POPLA appeal within 28 days

• Reuse your evidence and clearly restate your case

Common Reasons Why Horizon Parking Appeals Succeed

Here are some of the most frequent—and successful—grounds for challenging a PCN:

• Unclear or missing signage about time limits or permit requirements

• Technical issues with parking meters or mobile apps

• No grace period offered when leaving the site

• Valid mitigating circumstances (medical, emergency, breakdowns)

Real-Life Win: Man Beats Horizon Parking Fine Over Confusing Signs

In October 2024, a disabled driver named John Pawson successfully appealed a Horizon Parking fine issued at Foss Islands Retail Park in York. Despite holding a valid blue badge, he was fined £85 for exceeding the two-hour limit by just 20 minutes.

Mr. Pawson believed blue badge holders were allowed extended parking—as is common elsewhere—but found no clear signage stating otherwise.

When Horizon rejected his initial appeal, he took the case to POPLA. The independent adjudicator sided with him, stating that signs around the disabled bays failed to make the terms clear, and drivers couldn’t reasonably make an informed decision.

This case highlights why signage clarity is so important—and how appealing can pay off when the terms aren’t properly displayed.

Appeal Your Horizon Parking Fine with Resolvo

If your PCN feels unfair, you don’t have to just accept it. Many Horizon Parking charges are issued in situations where drivers have valid defences—and the appeal process is easier than you think.

Resolvo helps you build a strong, structured appeal in just a couple of minutes.

• Easy to Use: No forms or legal jargon—just tell it what happened and it will an appeal based on this

• Fast & Free: Get your appeal letter in under 2 minutes

• Up-to-Date: It is updated on the latest rules and regulations related to parking

Generate your appeal letter with Resolvo