Congleton: Neighbouring properties object to car wash plan

By Tom Avery

14th May 2020 | Local News

View of the existing premises.
View of the existing premises.

Three households have objected to plans for a new car wash in Congleton.

Nub News previously reported that Akbar Shah has submitted a planning application for a professional car valeting and hand car wash facility on a vacant site, off Manchester Road, in Lower Heath, Congleton.

The site is located in a cluster of commercial premises between Lawson Motor Company Car Garage and Greyfriars Carpet Store.

The application stated that the scale of development has been specifically designed to be "subservient to the massing qualities of the existing buildings" and is regarded as being "appropriate and sensitive in relation to the existing surroundings".

However, the proposal has been met with a number of concerns from the community.

A household on Galloway Green, who submitted their objections, felt that the plan would cause "dangerous hazards" when cars are pulling out onto the "busy" Manchester Road.

The Galloway Green resident added: "Noise would also be a problem and water may also be running along Manchester Road which would be hazardous.

"We are also objecting as we believe for a small village, we have too many car washes and this place could be used for something which is well needed.

"We currently have over five car wash and valeting centres over the Congleton area which are more than enough."

A resident on Manchester Road, who also objected said: " As the property is on the main road and with houses being built around it, this will be horrific when it comes to traffic.

"It will be more prone to accidents as well as it is quite a narrow road. We already have a few car washes in Congleton and with coronavirus going on at the moment this is the last thing we need.

"This land could be used for something a lot more useful!"

A resident on nearby Lomas Way, which is located behind the proposed site, objected citing concerns about the loud noise which would be generated from the jet washes.

The submitted objection added: "9am to 6pm is a very long time to have jet washes on constantly.

"It would ruin the enjoyment of people's gardens as well as scare the many birds in the area. Which include red kites.

"The area is surrounded by new build houses with many families who walk past on the footpath, surely the additional vehicles will cause a hazard here. It will be too noisy seven days a week which is unacceptable."

The proposed working hours are Monday to Sunday (including Bank Holidays) 9am to 6pm.

Another Lomas Way resident felt that with the large number of new houses in close proximity, a "doctors' practice would be better use of the site".

Congleton Town and Cheshire East ward councillor David Brown commented: "The access and ingress off A34 will be a nightmare, this has been refused twice before on access, noise and social harm."

The proposed business operation would include three valeting bays with a small Portakabin style unit providing customer waiting area, and another providing staff facilities.

It is anticipated that the wash off area will allow the simultaneous cleaning of two cars at a time, with maximum customer waiting time of five minutes.

Equipment will include two handheld jet washes and eco-Friendly car shampoo.

You can find the application by searching planning reference 20/1769C via Cheshire East's planning portal. The last date for submitting comments is 27th May with a decision target date set for 24th June.

     

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