Car wash plans met with opposition in Quatford

An application for a three year temporary hand car wash at Tony's Restaurant and Takeaway, Kidderminster Road, Quatford, has been submitted to Shropshire Council.

But residents say they are concerned that the development may make ongoing flooding problems worse.

Plans submitted with the application say: "Unless carried out on the open front forecourt of houses, there are no other car washing facilities available for residents, let alone for the elderly and infirm.

"This car wash activity, as sited will not affect any residents by views, noise, or vehicle activity to and from the proposed car wash facility."

The car wash open hours would be Monday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm, subject to daylight and fair weather.

Under the plans, underground foul water tanks would be located on site and emptied by an approved contractor.

The plans add: "There can be no concerns that the car wash will cause any flooding on or off the site."

There are 16 comment from residents objecting to the plans on the application.

Among those stating their objections is Bridgnorth town councillor Julia Buckley.

Councillor Buckley said she met with local residents and conducted a site visit recently and was "struck" by the challenges.

She said her main concern was the road safety.

One resident said that he is concerned about the site being close to a flood risk site.

Terry Purser-Barriff, aged 31, a technical developer, said: "The issue is that down hill from the site is a 23 home caravan park and 75 metres beyond that is the River Severn and in the past the river has overflowed its banks leaving the area water logged.

"We are worried that a car wash so close to a flood risk site is not a good idea when the waste water from the site. Imagine all the contaminants running down and logging the ground. I have spoken to a number of the councillors and residents in the area who are very concerned about the application at Tony's Cafe.

"We are also concerned about road safety and the extra traffic that it will generate at the site. As far as I'm aware there have been at least two fatalities involving pedestrians along the A442 in this area in recent years. On weekends in particular the site is quite busy with parked vehicles as it is, even though the plans state that it is disused lad.

"There are similar car washes at Rudge Heath and at Alveley, but those are not as close to residential properties and have more appropriate drainage. We don't want this on our doorsteps and hopefully it will be rejected by the planners. There are other car washes within a few miles which motorists already have access to."

The plans will be considered by Shropshire Council at a later date.