Hand car wash facility at Murrayside Youth And Community Centre, Ipswich

What was proposed

The application sought a hand car wash, storage containers, drainage works, a gazebo and children’s play equipment at the community centre.

“25/00686/FUL Ward:PRIORY HEATH Proposal:Establishment of hand car wash facility with covering gazebo; installation of single- storey metal storage container for car wash equipment storage, drainage channel for disposal of trade wastewater; installation of children's play equipment on grass area at front of building; installation of two-storey metal storage containers for use as changing facilities (ground container) and community centre storage.”

“1.Proposal 1.1 Planning permission is sought for the establishment of ahand car wash facility with covering gazebo; installation of single-storey metal storage container for car wash equipment storage, drainage channel for disposal of trade wastewater; installation of children's play equipment on grass area at front of building;and installation of single-storey metal storage container for use as community centre storage. 1.2.”

Officer report

Application history

The storage containers and drainage works were already installed, while the car wash had not started; the proposal was later reduced to single-storey storage.

“Another single-storey metal storage container will also be installed for the purpose of general storage for the Centre. The storage containers have already been installed, and permission for these features is sought retrospectively. It is noted that both containers are currently single-storey. Various equipment associated with the car wash proposal is already onsite and drainage works have been undertaken, but the car wash activity has not commenced. 2.Background 2.1.”

“An NIA was received on 14/01/2026 and the revised proposal began reconsultation the same day with the following description:Establishment of hand car wash facility with covering gazebo; installation of single-storey metal storage container for car wash equipment storage, drainage channel for disposal oftrade wastewater; installation of children's play equipment on grass area at front of building; installation oftwo-storey metal storage containers for use as changing…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions controlling noise, operating hours, school parking, play equipment, fencing and lighting.

“Recommendation Grant planning permission subject to the following conditions (briefly):- 1. Development to be in accordance with approved plans. Car wash to maintain operational noise levels as identified in the Noise Impact Assessment produced by Oakridge Environmental Services dated 9 January 2026. Hours of operation to be 8am-6pm Monday-Saturday, and 10am-5pm Sundays and Public Holidays. 4.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Highway Authority ultimately raised no objection, Environmental Protection raised no objections on air quality and contamination, and provided noise comments.

“The following consultation responses were received during this latter consultation period: Suffolk County Council – Local Highway Authority–No objection. Acknowledged direct receipt of information from the applicant addressing the details requested in the Authority’s original consultation response dated 28/10/2025.”

“Noise After discussions with the noise consultant, I have studied the final version of the noise impact assessment which includes a noise model obtained using proprietary noise modelling software in accordance with BS ISO 9613-2:2024. I’m satisfied that the car wash operation if limited to daytime hours should not have an adverse noise impact upon nearby residents or students at the adjacent school.”

Officer report

Objections raised

Fifteen letters raised concerns about parking, congestion, pupil safety, contamination, safeguarding, noise, unauthorised works and the site’s capacity.

“The Council’s Corporate Property team became aware of the application during the initial consultation period and requested on 17/11/2025 to be formally consulted, when correspondence with Officers indicated the description of development was to be revised and the proposal reconsulted. However, on 11/02/2026, Suffolk County Council indicated they did not intend to make a representation, and no formal representation has been received. Representations: 3.5.”

“- Unauthorised use of parking spaces allocated to the adjoining school under separate lease agreement. - Increased parking demand within the car park due to loss of parking spaces. - Increased vehicle movements and congestion within the car park posing a risk to personal safety. - Increased parking demand and congestion in surrounding roads due to overflow from car park site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The community centre’s director spoke in support, describing alternative education work and the car wash’s proposed income for youth facilities.

The vote

A motion to approve the officer recommendation was lost, followed by agreement to refuse permission on revised grounds.

“Councillor Holmes proposed the recommendations in the report, but the motion was lost.”

“Councillor Jones proposed that the application be refused on the following grounds: Policy DM12 as the car wash element was considered to not integrate well with the adjoining areas and would not create a safe and secure space; Policy DM18 as concerns had been raised regarding noise, odour, dust and fumes, and the potential impact on the neighbouring school; Policy DM21(a) as the proposal was likely to result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety cumulatively; Policy…”

Minutes

Reasons for refusal

The committee found conflicts with design, amenity and highway policies concerning disturbance, contamination, safety, alternative travel and transport impacts.

“Policy DM18 of the Ipswich Core Strategy and Policies DPD Review (2022) states that the Council will protect the quality of life of occupiers and neighbours by only granting permission for development that does not result in an unacceptable loss of amenity, including impacts from noise, odour, dust and contamination from water spray.”

“Policy DM21 of the Ipswich Core Strategy and Policies DPD Review (2022) states that to promote sustainable growth in Ipswich and reduce the impact of traffic congestion, new development (relevantly) shall: (a) not result in a severe impact on the highway network or unacceptable impacts on highway safety, either individually or cumulatively, (e) prioritise available options to enable and support travel on foot, by bicycle or public transport consistent with local strategies…”

Minutes