Vehicle servicing and car wash at Cross Street Garage, Haydon Wick, Swindon

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for vehicle servicing, MOT testing, car sales, a hand car wash and two canopies.

“Proposal: Change of use to vehicle servicing (Class E), MOT Centre, car sales centre, hand car wash and retention of the canopies (Sui Generis).”

“The Proposal: This application seeks retrospective planning permission for a change of use from petrol filling station to vehicle servicing, MOT Centre, car sales centre, hand car wash and retention of the canopies (Sui Generis).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was a former petrol station at the end of a residential street, beside a park and public house, with mature boundary hedging.

“The Site and Surroundings: The site was previously used as a petrol filling station, which is understood to have ceased in approximately 1997. It appears to have been used as a car sales, servicing and MOT centre since at least 1997. The addition of the car wash facility is understood to have occurred in July 2024. It is located at the end of a residential street. There is a park to the north of the site and the Shield and Dagger Public House to the east of the site.”

“The surrounding area is urban and residential in character, containing a mix of house types including bungalows and semi-detached dwellings. There is a large amount of mature hedging around the rear and side boundaries of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier use and applications

Vehicle sales, servicing and MOT use had operated for many years, while the car wash began in July 2024 and earlier applications were withdrawn.

“The planning history of the site is minimal with the last known lawful use being a petrol filling station. The use as a car sales, vehicle servicing centre and MOT centre has been shown by historic imagery to have been the use since at least 2009. Additionally, Council records show that bodywork repairs and MOTs were carried out in March 1997.”

“The addition of a car wash to the use of the site occurred in July 2024.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the canopies and uses were considered acceptable for character, residential amenity, highways and drainage subject to conditions.

“It is considered that, given the car wash facility has been in operation for over a year, and no complaints have been raised regarding drainage in that time, and no specific drainage related issues have been raised as part of the representations made by neighbours to this application, it would not be proportionate to require a surface water drainage strategy prior to determination.”

“Concluding Comments: The current use of the site for car sales, car repairs and as an MOT centre appears to have been largely in operation for over 29 years. The addition of the car wash facility and canopies does not have an unacceptable impact upon the character of the existing site or the surrounding area. Additionally, the change of use of the site does not have an additional unacceptable effect on the amenity of the neighbouring properties.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health and Highways raised no objection, the Parish Council had no objection, and the Drainage Officer objected without a surface water strategy.

“Drainage: Objection due to lack of Surface Water Management Strategy as part of the application.”

“Neighbours: Three representations outlining objections have been received. In summary the comments highlight the following concerns: • The change of use leads to insufficient parking and traffic impact on an already busy road • The noise and chemical smell from the hand car wash causes disturbances for neighbouring properties • The chemicals and waste from the hand car wash, without sufficient and effective drainage, may pose environmental and public health risks.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Ward Councillor spoke against the application, describing concerns about enforcement, drainage, the canopies, traffic and the car wash’s operation.

Members’ concerns

Members questioned relying on a later drainage condition, enforcement capacity and possible chemical runoff, while officers said enforcement resources were available.

“The responses provided by officers to questions raised as part of the Members only discussion can be broadly summarised as follows: • What the position would be if the drainage strategy did not come forward within the suggested time, given that the Council had virtually no planning enforcement function. It was confirmed that it was a condition compliance issue, and if the strategy was not submitted it would be referred to the enforcement team.”

“The drainage strategy needed to feature as part of the application, especially given the representations in the report which had objected due to the lack of a surface water management strategy. • It was confirmed that the application was retrospective and that the business had been operating for some time. Officers were also not aware that the Drainage Team…”

Minutes

The vote

A proposal to defer the application was made, seconded and supported by five councillors, with two opposed.

“Councillor Claire Crilly proposed that planning permission be deferred to allow consideration of the drainage report prior to decision on the matter. Councillor Matty Courtliff seconded the proposal. Five Councillors were in favour of the proposal, and two were opposed.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee deferred the application pending receipt of a drainage strategy from the applicant.

“Resolved – That the planning application be deferred pending receipt of the drainage strategy from the applicant.”

Minutes