PLANS have been sent in seeking permission for use of a car repair garage's premises as an MOT Centre have been given the nod.

Proposals to allow the additional use as an MOT Centre at Fastlane Autocare, on Boundary Road, were sent to the council in May.

The planning application, submitted by applicant Mr Coakley, said the change would see the premises, which has five full-time and two part-time employees, have an additional part-time worker.

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In a report recommending approval, planning officer Alex Ball stated: "The site is already operating as a vehicle repair centre, and the change of use to an MOT centre, which comprises of 67 sq m of internal floorspace is unlikely to lead to a significant increase in the number of vehicles at the premises.

"Furthermore, the MOT bay will only operate during the already established hours of the existing vehicle repair centre. Therefore, there is unlikely to be any significant increase in noise at receptors."

He noted that there had been an objection from a neighbour over parking and highway issues.

The report said: "The Highway’s Engineer has been consulted as part of this application and since the officer’s original response further information has been submitted in terms of a revised Block Plan.

"The change of use would enable between five to eight MOTs to be carried out each day for which one additional part-time staff member would be employed.

"The revised plan shows that there would be a dedicated bay for carrying out the MOT, and two spaces within the unit, in which vehicles awaiting MOTs could be parked.

"Considering the scale of change of use, the additional parking provision appears reasonable and any overspill onto the adopted highway is unlikely to be excessive."

The plans have been granted.