BOAC, I know - I suggested the same thing on the other thread.
My point is that ATC also have a vested interest in aircraft parking promptly and therefore could/should also approach BAA.
As for hitting something left on the stand, I am not advocating proceding without caution and if in doubt you, of course, should seek guidance, but for heavens sake, parking a little Airbus/737 on a stand designed for a 75/76 or larger aircraft shouldn't tax anyone too much!
And on that point, when on the A319/320 with no guidance, if the stand is designed to accommodate 75/767's, you can almost always get far enough on to allow aircraft to taxi behind.
Some people just look for problems rather than solutions!