The Control of Off-Street Parking (England and Wales) Order 1978

25.  Where, at the date when any area first becomes a controlled area, a person is operating a public off-street parking place in that area, he shall not be guilty of an offence under Article 14 of this Order by reason of continuing to operate the parking place after that date without a licence—

(a) at any time before the expiration of the period prescribed for the making of applications for licences in respect of parking places in operation at that date; or

(b) if during that period he duly makes an application for a licence in respect of the parking place, at any time before the expiration of that period but before the local authority notify him either that he has been granted a licence or that his application is refused; or

(c) if the local authority notify him that his application is refused, at any time thereafter before the expiration of the time for giving notice of appeal from that decision under Part III of this Schedule; or

(d) if such a notice of appeal is duly given, at any time thereafter until either the local authority's decision becomes finally effective under the procedure provided for by the said Part III or the licence is granted.