The operators of an illegal car wash at the site of a fire-ravaged pub in Darlaston may face legal action to shut it down after being refused permission to keep the enterprise going.

Planning officials scuppered an attempt to continue the business in the grounds of the former Boat Inn, in Bentley Road South.

The decision was made on grounds that a permanent car wash use on the land would prejudice any future use of the whole site and contradicted the borough’s planning blueprint, the Unitary Development Plan (UDP). The operation was still in action today.

However, if it fails to close down its owners could face a hefty fine.

David Jerrison, of Architectural Services, which submitted a retrospective planning application to stay on the site, declined to comment on the refusal. Walsall Council’s head of planning and building control David Elsworthy said: “The planning application was refused yesterday and enforcement action is now a distinct possibility.”

The pub has suffered a string of arson and vandal attacks since it closed. It is the latest operation to fall foul of the council’s battle to banish illegal car washes.

Another operation at the site of a former MEB sub station, in Church Street, Darlaston, was fined £10,000 and served with an injunction to stay off the land. Other hand car washes to be targeted include The Struggling Monkey pub, in Aldridge, and another at Lichfield Road, in Shelfield.