Car wash plans anger

Bosses of a car washing business operating right behind homes in the Black Country want to expand it – leaving angry residents in a lather.

There is already a car sales and valeting service at the site of John Downes Garage Ltd, based in Stamford Road, Amblecote.

But a planning application has been submitted to increase the car washing side of the operation.

Up to four cars will be able to be washed at any one time if the planning application submitted to Dudley Council is given the go-ahead. The garage is just yards from the back gardens of homes in Mallard Close.

And Allan Skitt, who lives right behind the proposed development, has objected to the planning application.

He said the noise coming from the site was already unbearable and feared this would now make it even worse.

"We have found it impossible to use our garden at all this year due to the noise generated by the site," he said.

"We have to endure the noise of high pressure jets on bodywork, vacuum cleaners, horns sounding, engine noise, car radios, and the noise from workers.

"Consequently the quality of life which I would expect to be able to enjoy, living in what after all is primarily a residential area, has been severely affected by this constant and unwelcome intrusion.

"None of the proposals on this application are designed to alleviate any of the nuisance this site currently generates.

"In fact I feel that they would only serve to add to it."

Dudley Council traffic chiefs have also expressed concerns about the application.

Officer Ian Hunt said he had concerns about the potential for cars to queue on the main road to get into the facility.

"The access is in close proximity to a bend and a downhill gradient, which may create a potential for accidents."

The application will be decided upon next month.