Saltwell car wash plans due to be decided by council planning committee
by Austen Shakespeare · ChronicleLiveGateshead Council’s planning and development committee will convene next week to decide on an application for a new car wash in Saltwell.
Councillors have been recommended to grant the change of use of Classic Motors, in Saltwell Road, into a car wash. The proposals state the site’s current use as a garage is no longer financially viable and the change is needed to stop the site from becoming redundant.
According to documents submitted to the local authority, the prospective business could operate from 9am - 8pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am - 4pm on Sundays. In addition, the converted business is expected to employ three part-time and two full-time workers.
The documents continue: “The car wash will operate with a booking system through Facebook and by taking bookings via phone. Customers will enter the car wash from the east entrance and park their vehicles to the centre of the front forecourt. The vehicles are parked on the premises for approximately 5-10 minutes, depending upon the service required.
“The majority of the car wash is undertaken by hand with brushes, sponges, buckets, soap and wax.”
However, the proposals have amassed six objections, as logged by Gateshead Council. The concerns range from perceived increases in nearby traffic, noise, and a possible “detrimental” impact on the character of the street.
Objections have also be submitted on the grounds that leakage from the car wash could seep into the unit below the garage. Council documents state the effectiveness of the proposed waterproofing and possible damage would be a civil matter between all parties involved.
The council’s report concludes officers do not have objections to the proposals in terms of the impact on residents, the visual amenity, highway safety or drainage. Councillors will gather at Gateshead Civic Centre on Wednesday, November 6, to consider and formally rule on the application.
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