A rags-to-riches building company boss, who has spoken of having a £1m turnover after being expelled from school, now says his business is suffering from Bromley Council’s "parking restrictions".

Lee Summers, 46, from Chislehurst, said in April that his company Oakmore Builders had experienced “amazing” growth.

However, he now claims Bromley Council is costing his business £6,500 per year in parking costs.

Oakmore Builders has 10 vehicles with each one charged £12.50 per week in parking costs.

Mr Summers said his workers sometimes drop tools and machinery off at building sites before parking their vehicles far away to avoid fines.

He said this was hampering productivity and added that parking costs were “seriously jeopardising the future growth” of his company.

He explained: “It is incredibly frustrating that we are penalised and fined simply for parking outside of our building projects.

"We don’t park on restricted access areas, nor do we park across school gates or wait on red routes or bus lanes, only on the roads outside of our projects, which are mostly home extension projects.

“How can we possibly park our vehicles literally miles away from active sites?

"In some cases, our tradesmen have refused to work for us because they are unable to find a parking space.

"This parking rule is seriously jeopardising the future growth of my company, and potentially many others.

“Surely Bromley would want to encourage the ease of operation of credible tradesmen and reputable building companies simply going about their work?”

Bromley Council responded by saying it was sympathetic to businesses which need to work for customers without off-street parking.

Executive councillor for environment William Huntington-Thresher said: “For some time we, in Bromley, have allowed traders to apply for a dispensation to stay on a yellow line without actually loading or unloading for a small fee of £12.50 for a whole week.

“This is significantly cheaper than most P&D parking in the borough and compares favourably with neighbouring boroughs where charges can reach £50 per day and the congestion charge might apply.

“We have not increased this charge in recent years precisely to support businesses who of course, in the end, pass this cost on to their customers as a small part of their project.”

He added nobody liked parking costs but “it is a feature of modern life” and parking fees and yellow lines help ration parking spaces which are in high demand.

The councillor said income from parking fees goes towards keeping roads in good condition and tackling potholes.