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Eco car washing facility in Crewe once again rejected by council

The proposed plan included a manned eco car wash facility and electric vehicle charging, the construction of four jet wash bays and four valeting bays with canopies, two self serve electric vehicle charging bays and more

Zainab Noor

InYourArea Community, Zainab Noor

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Eco car washing facility in Crewe once again rejected by council

APPLICATION REJECTED: North Street, Crewe (Picture: Google Street View)

Written by David Norbury

A decision by Cheshire East Council to protect residents from noise from jet wash bays has been backed by a planning inspector.

The application was made by London based Carbana Ltd and Monktondean Investments Ltd (Mr Simon Moxon) on a former parking area for a nearby car sales garage at North Street, Crewe by the Cross Keys gyratory.

The development proposed a manned eco car wash facility and electric vehicle charging, the construction of four jet wash bays and four valeting bays with canopies, two self serve electric vehicle charging bays and a single amenity building containing a customer lounge, a store and an employee welfare area.

Permission was refused by the council as the location adjacent to residential properties was considered to be unacceptable and would have an adverse impact on the living conditions of neighbouring properties.

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This led to the appeal. Inspector Paul Cooper found the main issue was the effect on the living conditions of nearby residents, particularly from noise and disturbance. The site was adjacent to a busy roundabout with a mix of residential and commercial properties in the surrounding area.

The proposed use would 'significantly intensify' the use of the site, creating a larger number of vehicular movements every day. It would generate 'far more noise' than the use it would replace and would also operate seven days a week.

The main background noise in the area was currently from traffic, according to an assessment but the inspector found noisier activities such as jet washing and vacuuming would create noise levels 'substantially greater' than the background noise. As a result, they would be audible at the surrounding properties.

"Such noise may only be relatively short lived, but I consider that intermittent short bursts of noise such as these would be much more disturbing than the more constant hum of traffic on the road," the inspector suggested.

"The noise and disturbance these bursts would create for nearby residents would be particularly noticeable in the summer months when windows would be more likely to be open and gardens used more extensively."

The proposed use would 'almost certainly' be busiest at the weekends and so the noise from the proposed use would be greatest at times when residents were most likely to be at home and wanting to enjoy their homes and gardens.

The inspector concluded the appeal should be dismissed.

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