Former Staffordshire pub could become self-service car wash if plans approved this week
A former pub in Hednesford could be converted into a self-service car wash if plans are approved this week. The scheme, for the lower car park of the former Globe Inn on East Cannock Road, have been recommended for approval. The pub closed in 2012.
The application has been called into the planning committee at Cannock Chase District Council by Councillor Adrienne Fitzgerald due to environmental concerns, highway safety issues and the presence of Japanese Knotweed.
There have also been five objections from local residents.
The proposal includes plans for a total of five wash bays, four covered and one open, along with four bays providing combined tyre inflation and vacuuming.
Grease and trip traps will be installed to capture water runoff.
The planning statement submitted by the applicant states: “The proposed scheme will develop a vacant, sustainably located site to provide eco-car wash facility land off Old Hednesford Road / East Cannock Road, Cannock.
"The scheme has been carefully conceptualised to respect and complement the existing buildings and land uses as well as the settlement as a whole.”
No statutory consultee objected to the scheme, apart from highways officers at Staffordshire County Council, who said insufficient information had been provided on staff parking.
Additionally, five local residents objected to the scheme with concerns including an increase in the volume of traffic, increased noise and light pollution.
In recommending approval, planning officers state: “Your Officers confirm that the proposal for the creation of a car wash, with ancillary facilities would bring a currently redundant site back into use.
"The site has been vacant and has fallen into disrepair for 13 years which has resulted in an eyesore that is detrimental to the amenity of the location.
“Given the above, the benefits of the scheme through bringing a disused site back into use within a mixed use area, the employment opportunities (albeit limited), the development not resulting in a significant impact upon the amenity of neighbouring occupiers would, weigh significantly in favour of the proposed development.”
The planning committee at Cannock Chase District Council are set to meet on Wednesday January 14 to decide whether the plans should be approved.
