Bubble trouble at the car wash

A CAR-wash owner has defended opening up a business without council planning permission.

Neighbours said Bardsley Bubbles car wash and valeting service, in Ashton Road, has been operational for the past month.

But a planning application asking for permission to change the former car showroom to car wash with associated retail use, which was submitted to Oldham Council on September 7, is still outstanding.

Neighbour Keith Moorhouse said: “Lots of residents oppose the car wash mainly because the planning application is retrospective.

“A lot think the noise and disturbance of it being open on a Sunday is also a problem.”

However, Robert Smith, business proprietor, said no one has complained directly to him.

He said his business, which operates 9am-6pm weekdays and Saturdays and 10am-4pm Sundays, is not a drastic change of use to the former car showroom.

And he said it has given employment to five people and has spent thousands of pounds improving the site and establishing proper drainage.

He said: “This has always been a motor-trade site with a car wash, all we are doing is cancelling out the car sales and increasing the car-wash element. The site used to be run down and tatty but we’ve invested almost £30,000 doing it up and sorting it out.

“Our planning permission is administrative — I believe planning approval will be granted.”

The matter was due to be decided by a planning officer today.