Crossword Genius

Enclosed area needing parking space (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pen

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'enclosed area' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'parking space' is the wordplay.
'parking' becomes 'p' (abbreviation on road signs).
'space' becomes 'en' (in printing, a space as wide as a letter 'n').
'p'+'en'='PEN'

'needing' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pen that I've seen before include "See 20" , "Coop" , "American jug?" , "International Association of poets, playwrights etc" , "Female swan" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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