Nuisance car wash business shuts down over noise and safety complaints

Walsall Council said the firm had been operating from Alvar Business Park, in Straight Road, Short Heath, without the required planning permission.

An enforcement notice was agreed by the planning committee, although councillors were told the business closed down suddenly ahead of the meeting.

But members pushed ahead with the ban to ensure the firm doesn't start up again. All vehicles, materials, equipment and signage will have to be removed.

Willenhall councillor Ian Shires backed the action.

He told the meeting: "If it has ceased operating it has only been the last few days. It is in a totally inappropriate place."

A report to the committee said the car wash had resulted in noise and disturbance.

Planning officers also said that it created traffic jams and unsafe conditions on the roads. They added there was also potential for water to run across the parking and access ways used by the neighbouring businesses, creating a safety hazard.

Officers were first made aware of the car wash in May and advised bosses that planning permission was required.

A planning application was submitted shortly afterwards, however it was invalid.

Head of planning David Elsworthy said: "It is considered that the operations cause harm to the area.

"There are flats across the road which would be adversely affected by the noise of the operations, while it is recognised this is an industrial area, the operations are in the open at the frontage.

"The front boundary is a low wall with the pavement adjacent and the bus stop.

"In addition the frontage is used by other users of the business park, therefore the overspray from the washing operations would be to the detriment of the users of these areas.

"In addition there is no area for additional vehicles waiting to be washed to queue safely within the site, therefore the site layout and access arrangements create the potential for queuing traffic onto the highway."

The building housing the tyre firm is also used by a martial arts firm and as offices.

The wider business park includes a go-karting and laser centre.