RESIDENTS have reacted angrily after they were given £90 penalty notices for parking on land outside their Bradford homes which they have used for many years.

A number of people living on Horsman Street, an unadopted road off Tong Street, said staff from the Bradford-based firm WY Parking Enforcement (WYPE) put up warning signs in the dark at around 9.40pm on Tuesday, before issuing tickets around ten minutes later.

But a spokesman for estate agents Mak Homes said they owned the land in question, claiming the people affected had ignored prior warnings not to use a private parking area.

Mary Bartley said she had been parking her car in the same place for 14 years without any problems, claiming the land was shown on her deeds to the property as a former outside toilet.

"They came and put the signs up and gave us tickets straightaway," she said.

"There was nothing up yesterday, and no-one told us anything beforehand.

"It's not fair what they've done, there was no notification.

"Apparently we can get a permit, but we will be charged.

"Why should we have to pay to park outside our own homes?"

Fellow neighbour Derek Elvidge said: "We weren't told a thing. I've parked there for three years and never had a problem.

"If they'd have had the decency to say they were putting the signs up and didn't want people to park there, then fair enough.

"But it was all done underhand, which is totally wrong."

When the Telegraph & Argus visited the site yesterday, which consists of land behind terraced houses with 14 garage units, WYPE signs could be seen positioned at various locations around the area.

A spokesman for Mak Homes said it was "crystal clear" on its deeds that the land now belonged to the firm, adding the garages were being rented out to clients who had complained about residents' parking.

He said enforcement signs had been put up two weeks ago, but people had either ignored or removed the warnings.

"Residents are allowed to walk on the land, and drive through it to get to their property, but the land is owned and managed by us," he said.

"It is affecting people who are renting the garages, and it is private land."

A spokesman for WYPE confirmed the landlord had requested the enforcement notices due to problems with residents parking on private land.

"The landlord informed the residents two weeks ago, and warning signs were put up on garages and left on vehicles," he said.

"Enforcement started on Tuesday night, as instructed by the landlord.

"We adhere to the British Parking Association code of conduct, and any tickets would have to be cancelled through an appeals process, or at the request of the landlord."

A spokesman for Bradford Council said that WYPE could only legally enforce charges on privately-owned land.