Neighbours not happy at car wash plan for former pub

Wolverhampton city council has been recommended to grant temporary permission for the business to operate from the former Woodbine pub in Bushbury.

But campaigners have pledged to get planners to go against the recommendation and refuse the plans for the site in Wood Lane at a meeting next month.

Bushbury North Councillor Daniel Warren said: "I don't want it at all. It wouldn't blend well into the community. The community are vehemently against it.

"Whilst I'm disappointed that the planning department has recommend the project for approval this is not the end of the fight.

"There have been 35 objections including my own to the car wash which means the application has to go in front of the Planning Committee on January 10 at 2pm, where councillors will decide whether to uphold the decision or reject it.

"I will be speaking against the application and if any member of the public wishes to attend, I'm more than happy to meet on the day. If we have a big crowd in the public gallery it might help our appeal. We look forward to fighting against it on January 10."

If the plans are approved the car wash would be reviewed every year by the council.

There were no objections from Network Rail and the Highways department said that the car wash would have little impact on the road network. The basis of objections from most residents will be on noise and nuisance.

Posting on the Bushbury, Fordhouses and Oxley News and Events Facebook page, resident Daz Pops Marsh said: "I`m concerned for the surrounding residents first and foremost. And I care who will be working there because I will have to look at it every day."

Another resident, Daniel New, said: "There's too many car washes. There's better things to do then use it as a car wash where it's hardly going to get used unless it's going to be the cheapest."

There are already car washes on nearby Elston Hall Lane and on Stafford Road.

The development at The Woodbine would see a portable office, a canopy and wash area with drainage set up. Work has already started to convert the site.

The car park is currently suitable for six cars, with no plans to extend the site to accommodate the new development.

There are no plans to take over or develop the former pub building itself.

The plans have been submitted to the council by Mr Tabsawant who was unavailable to comment.

In April this year, there were calls for the council to act on the site after litter including white goods and toys were dumped on the car park.

Other sites highlighted as problems were Powell Street and an alleyway behind Lesley Street in Heath Town.