St Helens Council takes enforcement action over car wash in Haydock

The plans, submitted in February seeking permission for a hand car wash facility to continue operating at the site at 383 - 385 West End Road, Haydock, were refused.

The application had sought retrospective permission for a change of use from a car sales forecourt to a hand car wash, with a new canopy, perspex screen, and carport, and the change of use of a garage storage to a tyre shop.

The site is located on West End Road, near to a roundabout and is "currently operating as a car wash and valeting business", plans stated.

The plans attracted three letters of objection from residents, with claims the facility is an "eyesore" and concerns over noise among the complaints.

What the applicant said

Plans, submitted by applicant Mr Seyed, of Arshia Lavasani, said: "The site had previously been granted temporary planning permission for a care wash facility for a period of three years which has subsequently expired".

In 2023, plans for the retention of the hand car wash had been refused as it was said it "would impair the peace and quiet" for residents. Following an appeal, the Planning Inspectorate upheld the council's decision and "agreed that the metal fence and canopy is considered prominent, incongruous, and visually harmful to the character and appearance of the area", planning officers said.

The applicant had claimed in a planning statement for the new retrospective application that "a previous planning application has been granted at the site and therefore the principle of the change of use for a car wash facility has already been established".

It was added: "The proposal would result in the retention of three full and one part-time jobs, which supports the aim of the Local Plan. The retention of the outdoor car wash facility will have a positive effect on the local economy for the borough".

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Plans also claimed a "proposed new design has taken into account the refusal comments" from the previous application.

The latest planning application was refused by the council (Image: Stock)

Council refuses plans citing 'harm' caused

However, council planning officer Alex Ball recommended the new plans be refused.

In a report, he said: "The development would create poor quality design and result in visual clutter along a prominent gateway corridor, causing harm to the visual amenity of the site and surrounding area along a prominent gateway corridor".

It was added: "The application has failed to provide adequate technical evidence that the development would not result in harm to the living conditions for the occupants to the rear of the application site along Park Street and has not provided sufficient details of adequate noise mitigation".

Enforcement action taken

St Helens Council's planning committee heard that enforcement action was being taken (Image: Stock)

During a meeting of the council planning committee earlier this month head of planning Kieran Birch confirmed that the local authority was taking "enforcement action" on the application.

When asked for details of this, a St Helens Council spokeswoman confirmed that the Local Planning Authority had served an Enforcement Notice on the owners under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

This requires a cease of the use of the land as a car wash facility, permanent removal of the metal fence that bounds the land to the rear and side, and of the canopy comprising a plastic corrugated roof supported on a bright yellow metal frame.

The spokeswoman said the notice was served on the owners on Friday, April 5 and takes effect on May 6 to allow for an appeal period.

There is a one-month compliance period for the requirements.