A BRACKNELL resident will get money back from The Look Out after a wrangle over a car parking refund from the Discovery Centre.

Malcolm Saunders told the News he asked for a pro-rata return on his annual parking permit following the closure of the site due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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But he claims the council told him his permit would be extended from the time when the car-park re-opened, instead.

Mr Saunders said: “The problem with that proposition was that when the car park re-opened the parking conditions had materially changed from the conditions that were offered at the time that I purchased my permit.”

Following the easing of lockdown restrictions, The Look Out re-opened its car park but with fewer parking spaces available.

The Bracknell resident continued: “The new times didn’t suit my usage of the facilities and that, combined with the significant reduction in spaces, meant that I had a concern that I would not be able to utilise the extension to my permit at all.”

Despite asking for another refund for his permit due to the lack of spaces available, Mr Saunders claimed he was told parking availability was not guaranteed upon purchase of the pass.

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Mr Saunders was eventually informed he would receive a pro-rata refund after a back-and-forth tussle with the council.

But two months later he had still not received the money as promised.

He told the News: “I do hope that other local residents have not had the same problems receiving their refunds as I have had.”

This newspaper asked Bracknell Forest Council if it would be issuing Mr Saunders his refund.

In response Councillor John Harrison said: “Our team at The Look Out has been working with Mr Saunders to resolve his parking permit issue.

“Closing the car park during the height of the pandemic was crucial to maintain social distancing and reduce numbers of visitors on site.

“Permit holders were offered an extension on their permit to cover the time lost due to the closure.

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“When the car park re-opened, there was a reduction in parking spaces and the opening times had changed in order to control visitor numbers and maintain social distancing on site.

“Whilst we appreciate that the new, reduced opening times do not fit in with Mr Saunders schedule, it is stated in the conditions of the permit that The Look Out cannot guarantee opening times or availability of parking spaces.

“As a gesture of goodwill, a pro-rata refund of £20.57 has been arranged for Mr Saunders.”